Strategically Using University Student Records to Build a Student Retention Model
Strategically Using University Student Records to Build a Student Retention Model

Author: Emma J. Crabtree

Publisher:

Published: 2019

Total Pages: 117

ISBN-13:

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

In recent years, Strategic Enrollment Management (SEM) initiatives have become integral in the programs that colleges and universities develop to recruit and retain students. With 73.0% of full-time freshmen at Wichita State University in 2017 returning for their second year of study in fall of 2018, there is a need to implement interventions designed to identify and provide services to students at-risk of not being retained. Based on research of academic attrition and models of student retention, a conceptual model of student retention was developed. Wichita State University has developed collaborations across multiple SEM offices to increase their capacity to strategically use student record data to create data-driven programs and policies. This study utilized this capacity to develop a predictive model of student retention for three of the university's main student populations: first-time-in-college students, transfer students, and returning adult students. The availability of student data for each population is impacted by university admissions and data monitoring practices, requiring the conceptual model to be tailored to each student group. Bivariate comparisons between the students who were retained and who were not retained in each population revealed significant differences between the groups, so a logistic regression was used to predict retention risk. The logistic regression equations for each population were able to predict student retention with at least 70% accuracy. Implications, limitations, and suggestions for future research will be discussed.

An Empirical Analysis of Factors that Influence the First Year to Second Year Retention of Students at One Large, Hispanic Serving Institution (hsi)
An Empirical Analysis of Factors that Influence the First Year to Second Year Retention of Students at One Large, Hispanic Serving Institution (hsi)

Author: Steven Lamar Wilkerson

Publisher:

Published: 2011

Total Pages:

ISBN-13:

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

The purpose of this study was to identify how input and environmental factors impact first-to-second year retention of undergraduate students at a large Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). An additional purpose of the study was to determine the usefulness of the Astin Typology as a predictive factor for student retention. The sample for the study was 1,296 first-year students enrolled at the University of Texas at San Antonio during the 2002, 2003, and 2004 academic years. Data used for the study included student responses to the Cooperative Institutional Research Program (CIRP): Freshman Survey (to identify each participant0́9s Astin type), gender, ethnicity, SAT scores, rank in high school class, first-generation status, financial need, first-semester residence, entry-college, semester credit hours attempted, academic course difficulty, participation in Supplemental Instruction, and enrollment in a first-year seminar course. Both descriptive and univariate statistics were used to describe the sample population, as well as the similarities and differences found to exist among the seven Astin types. Three separate logistic regression analyses organized by Astin0́9s I-E-O framework were conducted to develop a predictive model for retention from the first-to-second year of college. Subsequent analyses were conducted to identify the specific factors that were useful for predicting retention for each of the seven Astin types. The major findings of this study were: 0́Ø The most frequent Astin type identified within the sample population was Status Striver 0́Ø The model that included both Input and Environmental factors was the most accurate model for predicting retention 0́Ø Students who were classified as Hedonist, Status Striver, and Uncommitted were less likely to be retained at this institution when all other input and environmental factors were controlled. 0́Ø Environmental factors were most useful for predicting retention, in particular, semester credit hours attempted that had an inverse relationship with retention for all Astin types 0́Ø First-generation status, financial need, SAT score were not useful for the prediction of retention 0́Ø First-year seminar course enrollment and participation in Supplemental Instruction had a positive impact on retention This study provided evidence that the Astin typology is viable as a means of retention among college student populations.

Predicting and Improving First Year Engineering Student Retention Through Lean Thinking and Quality Management Concepts
Predicting and Improving First Year Engineering Student Retention Through Lean Thinking and Quality Management Concepts

Author: Thomas Bereza

Publisher:

Published: 2017

Total Pages: 56

ISBN-13:

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

While the percentage of undergraduate engineering degrees awarded has increased over the past decade, it has been outpaced by the overall growth in bachelor degree attainment. With this, the amount of enrollment in engineering programs has increased, but still a significant number of engineering students choose to drop out or pursue other educational paths. Universities and policy makers are motivated to increase the retention of engineering students to graduation. This thesis explores the quantitative data that makes up a first year engineering student's profile. The data is used to develop an ordinal logistic regression model to predict 2nd year student retention. Ideas to improve retention are discussed with a focus of applying Lean Manufacturing techniques in conjunction with the proposed prediction model. Data from a college of engineering within a public land-grant research university is used to test for significance as indicators for freshman retention. Data used in this study is from 2010 and 2011 freshman engineering cohorts. Using collected student data, a prediction model is developed that assesses the probability of a first year engineering student either i) returning to engineering in their second year, ii) leaving engineering but remaining at the university, or iii) leaving the university altogether. Then, using concepts from lean manufacturing and quality management this prediction model is incorporated in a proposed engineering education quality system.This study creates a prediction model to identify students that are likely to be: retained in engineering, switch majors out of engineering, and drop out of the university. This prediction model is then incorporated into the proposed engineering education quality management system to assist with identifying; where and when students may not persist in engineering curriculum, and ideas to promote student persistence using the prediction results.

Undergraduate Student Retention in Context
Undergraduate Student Retention in Context

Author: Bradley C. Litchfield

Publisher:

Published: 2013

Total Pages: 164

ISBN-13:

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

This study examined the use of an institutionally-specific risk prediction model in the university's College of Education. Set in a large, urban, public university, the risk model predicted incoming students' first-semester GPAs, which, in turn, predicted the students' risk of attrition. Additionally, the study investigated advising practices within the College of Education via semi-structured interviews with the College's advising staff and a document analysis of students' advising notes in an attempt to find thematic links between undergraduate retention and usage of an advising center. Data were analyzed to determine the accuracy of the risk model in the College of Education. The results of this study are used to inform the College of Education's administration, faculty, and staff about the implications of risk prediction and to suggest potential treatments to increase retention rates. Furthermore, recommendations for future research are discussed for this study's institution and for the field of education.

Increasing Persistence
Increasing Persistence

Author: Wesley R. Habley

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons

Published: 2012-06-25

Total Pages: 513

ISBN-13: 1118234847

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

INCREASING PERSISTENCE "Of all the books addressing the puzzle of student success and persistence, I found this one to be the most helpful and believe it will be extremely useful to faculty and staff attempting to promote student success. The authors solidly ground their work in empirical research, and do a brilliant job providing both an overview of the relevant literature as well as research-based recommendations for intervention." GAIL HACKETT, PH.D., provost and executive vice chancellor for academic affairs; professor, counseling and educational psychology, University of Missouri, Kansas City Research indicates that approximately forty percent of all college students never earn a degree anywhere, any time in their lives. This fact has not changed since the middle of the 20th century. Written for practitioners and those who lead retention and persistence initiatives at both the institutional and public policy levels, Increasing Persistence offers a compendium on college student persistence that integrates concept, theory, and research with successful practice. It is anchored by the ACT's What Works in Student Retention (WWISR) survey of 1,100 colleges and universities, an important resource that contains insights on the causes of attrition and identifies retention interventions that are most likely to enhance student persistence.?? The authors focus on three essential conditions for student success: students must learn; students must be motivated, committed, engaged, and self-regulating; and students must connect with educational programs consistent with their interests and abilities. The authors offer a detailed discussion of the four interventions that research shows are the most effective for helping students persist and succeed: assessment and course placement, developmental education initiatives, academic advising, and student transition programming. Finally, they urge broadening the current retention construct, providing guidance to policy makers, campus leaders, and individuals on the contributions they can make to student success.

Factors Contributing to First Year Retention in Higher Education
Factors Contributing to First Year Retention in Higher Education

Author: Sharon M. Young

Publisher:

Published: 2016

Total Pages: 180

ISBN-13:

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

The purpose of this study was to examine factors that may contribute to student retention in first year higher education students enrolled at a four-year public university in Texas. The study sought to answer the following research question: 1. To what degree are student factors--high school GPA, ethnicity, gender, first generation higher institution student status, SAT or ACT scores, socioeconomic status (SES), and financial aid eligibility (grants, loans, federal aid, scholarships)--related to first year retention at a college/university? This study used descriptive and logistic regression analyses from the Fall 2012-2013 school year data provided by the public university in Texas. Contributing factors (High School GPA, ethnicity, gender, first generation college student status, SAT or ACT scores, socioeconomic status (SES), and financial aid eligibility (grants, loans, federal aid, scholarships) were analyzed to determine the best predictor(s) of first year student retention for the Fall 2013-2014 school year at the public university. The study revealed that of the sample analyzed, 68.8% of the students were retained for the Fall 2013-2014 school year while the other 31.2% were not retained. The logistic regression revealed financial aid (grants, loans, scholarships) to be the most predictive variable for the retention of first year higher education students in 2013-2014.