Workplace stress and its impact upon retention levels are becoming an increasing concern within the teaching profession (Brown, Davis, & Johnson, 2002; Jarvis, 2002). Research has largely focused upon the effects of environmental factors, whilst noting that it is the interplay between the individual and the environment which may hold the key to…

This study examined voluntary and involuntary withdrawal rates of students of various racial origins at York University in Ontario (Canada). Data were obtained from three surveys of first-year students conducted in 1993, 1994, and 1995, and involving 1,864 students. Information on Ontario Academic Credit (OAC) marks, first year grade point…

In order to better understand the factors that contribute to student attrition in community colleges, a study was undertaken to track a cohort of 1990 first-time students at a Florida public community college for 2 years. Once the cohort students were identified, a file was built containing both demographic and academic attributes, including age,…

A study was conducted to determine whether factors found to be related to student persistence in public and independent two-year colleges (i.e., positive college environment, realistic student expectations for career and education, and a sense of belonging) were generalizable to the proprietary sector. Three proprietary institutions in New York…

A research study of 300 Georgia first-year school teachers sought: (1) to identify first-year teachers' perceptions of their undergraduate education curricula; (2) to determine whether significant differences in perceptions exist among groups of first-year teachers categorized on the basis of background information; and (3) to determine which…

An ongoing study was initiated to provide a reliable means of defining and measuring factors affecting students' performance as they move from high school to college, including the reasons why some are more able than others to excel and/or persist. The study provides public high schools, colleges, universities and the Missouri Coordinating Board…

A study examined the learning strategies and attitudes of college language students and their relationship to success in language learning. Three research questions were asked: (1) Which self-reported language study strategies were associated with achievement as measured by classroom or other proficiency tests?; (2) Which attitude and motivational…

The usefulness of equations to predict graduation from college was studied using data from the 1974 freshman class of a major research university. The following predictor variables were assessed using multiple regression and discriminant analyses: sex, race, residency, major, high school rank, high school size, Scholastic Aptitide Test scores, and…

Academic and nonacademic variables that may predict persistence in the nursing program at Lakeland Community College, Ohio, were studied. The academic variables included American College Testing program standard scores, National League for Nursing (NLN) rank scores, high school grade point average, and previous college grade point average. The…

Preliminary retention data on regular freshmen at the University of North Dakota (UND) are analyzed for 1976-80. It is shown that at the end of the freshmen year, approximately 25 percent of an entering class has left the university, with an additional 13 percent leaving by the end of their sophomore year. Data on freshmen attrition is provided by…

Interviews with the day teaching faculty at American River College were conducted to determine which variables most affect class withdrawal and retention rates. During the interviews, each instructor was asked to think of any one of his/her day classes taught during the preceding semester and to answer 30 questions concerning, among other items,…

This is the final report of a project initiated in September 1965 to: (1) determine and measure the environmental factors and the social-psychological characteristics of students which are related to the success or failure of occupational programs; and (2) to identify a variety of typical educational career patterns and to isolate teams of…

Assesses the applicability of several related models of student retention/attrition to community colleges. Presents the results of a longitudinal study of freshman-year retention and performance, revealing that certain pre-enrollment variables coupled with first-semester academic performance data can help institutions identify potential dropouts.…

Institutional accountability for performance and quality is an evolving topic with immeasurable appeal. Data and sources are abundant, but validated measures and meaningful information are scarce. While pursuing an approach centered on construct validity, this study transforms complex data into useful information. Correlation analysis reveals…

As part of a series of studies on the long-term academic outcomes of fall 1990 first-time freshmen, Maryland's Prince George's Community College (PGCC) undertook an analysis of the cohort to determine the role of race or ethnicity as a predictor of academic achievement after four years. Academic achievers were defined as those students who had…