Education Commons^™

Lgbtq Students, Tammy R. Johnson, Daniel Weber

Tammy R. Johnson

As with any sub-population of college stu­dents, there is a great deal of variance among individual LGBTQ students in terms of their ex­pectations and desires when it comes to choos­ing or persisting at a particular college. Perhaps the one unifying objective among members of this group is a goal common to almost every student at every level of study: to find an edu­cational environment in which the student will feel valued and supported while pursuing his or her educational goals. To this end, LGBTQ stu­dents have unique needs that historically have gone unaddressed.

The Engineering Admissions Partnership Program: A Navigation Strategy For Community College Students Seeking A Pathway Into Engineering, Marcia R. Laugerman, Mack C. Shelley, Steven K. Mickelson, Diane T. Rover

Diane Rover

This paper presents the evaluation of a program designed to improve transfer outcomes for community college students pursuing an engineering degree. The program, the Engineering Admissions Partnership Program (E-APP), was designed to improve the navigational success of community college transfer students through connections to the university. These connections include coordinated academic advising, peer-mentoring, campus visits, and online social and professional networks. The objective of the study is to determine the efficacy of the E-APP and its interventions, which will be measured by increased participation rates and increased university retention rates for E-APP participants. Outcome data for the students are analyzed …

Review Of Years 9 To 12 Tasmania : Final Report, Geoff N. Masters, Kathryn Moyle, Sheldon Rothman, Hilary Hollingsworth, Bill Perrett, Paul R. Weldon, Kate Perkins, Justin Brown, Ali Radloff, Patricia Freeman, Sofi Damianidis

Ali Radloff

The Tasmanian Government is currently implementing significant reforms to improve students’ retention and attainment in Tasmania’s schools. There is a concern in the Tasmanian community however, that their students’ performances are among the lowest in the nation. Reasons nominated for these results include weak literacy and numeracy levels; low attendance rates; high anxiety around transitions between Year 10 and Year 11 by some students, especially among those living outside of the larger cities; students seeking alternative education options; and family, financial, health and carer based issues. It is against this backdrop that the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) was …

Review Of Years 9 To 12 Tasmania : Final Report, Geoff N. Masters, Kathryn Moyle, Sheldon Rothman, Hilary Hollingsworth, Bill Perrett, Paul R. Weldon, Kate Perkins, Justin Brown, Ali Radloff, Patricia Freeman, Sofi Damianidis

Dr Paul Weldon

The Tasmanian Government is currently implementing significant reforms to improve students’ retention and attainment in Tasmania’s schools. There is a concern in the Tasmanian community however, that their students’ performances are among the lowest in the nation. Reasons nominated for these results include weak literacy and numeracy levels; low attendance rates; high anxiety around transitions between Year 10 and Year 11 by some students, especially among those living outside of the larger cities; students seeking alternative education options; and family, financial, health and carer based issues. It is against this backdrop that the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) was …

Review Of Years 9 To 12 Tasmania : Final Report, Geoff N. Masters, Kathryn Moyle, Sheldon Rothman, Hilary Hollingsworth, Bill Perrett, Paul R. Weldon, Kate Perkins, Justin Brown, Ali Radloff, Patricia Freeman, Sofi Damianidis

Dr Hilary Hollingsworth

The Tasmanian Government is currently implementing significant reforms to improve students’ retention and attainment in Tasmania’s schools. There is a concern in the Tasmanian community however, that their students’ performances are among the lowest in the nation. Reasons nominated for these results include weak literacy and numeracy levels; low attendance rates; high anxiety around transitions between Year 10 and Year 11 by some students, especially among those living outside of the larger cities; students seeking alternative education options; and family, financial, health and carer based issues. It is against this backdrop that the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) was …

Review Of Years 9 To 12 Tasmania : Final Report, Geoff N. Masters, Kathryn Moyle, Sheldon Rothman, Hilary Hollingsworth, Bill Perrett, Paul R. Weldon, Kate Perkins, Justin Brown, Ali Radloff, Patricia Freeman, Sofi Damianidis

Professor Kathryn Moyle (consultant)

The Tasmanian Government is currently implementing significant reforms to improve students’ retention and attainment in Tasmania’s schools. There is a concern in the Tasmanian community however, that their students’ performances are among the lowest in the nation. Reasons nominated for these results include weak literacy and numeracy levels; low attendance rates; high anxiety around transitions between Year 10 and Year 11 by some students, especially among those living outside of the larger cities; students seeking alternative education options; and family, financial, health and carer based issues. It is against this backdrop that the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) was …

Student Success And Learning Through Critical Thinking Development, Lynell Hodge

Lynell Hodge, EdD

No abstract provided.

Factors Affecting The Matriculation Of African American Undergraduate Students: An Exploratory Study, Leila Halawi, Andrew Knowles, Richard Mccarthy

Leila A. Halawi

In this study, a regression analysis was conducted to explore the factors associated with African American student retention and graduation. The study sample is comprised of 133 undergraduate African American MIS students at a southeastern, private university. This university uses Blackboard. Using a structure that is grounded on Astin’s student involvement theory, the results of this preliminary investigation indicated that both academic involvement and student involvement share a positive relationship with student retention.

Retention And Attrition Of Students In Higher Education: Challenges In Modern Times To What Works, Marguerite Maher, Helen Macallister

Marguerite Maher

Retention and attrition rates in higher education have long been a focus of research. This paper presents findingsof a single case study, undertaken in a School of Education, which identify important strategies that have led to attrition of five to eight per cent, compared with 18 per cent cross the education sector in Australia (Department of Education, Science and Training, 2004). Findings include: individual admissions interviews, funding of an Associate Dean Pastoral Care, course coordinators providing continuity of support, easy access for students to academic staff, well-supported, extended professional experience, senior staff lecturing undergraduates, congruence between co-curricular supports and the …

Friendships And Retention At A Historically Black University: A Quantitative Case Studyno Title, Mondrail Myrick, John Gipson, Donald Mitchell

Why Did They Come Here? - The Influences And Expectations Of First-Year Students’ College Experience, Louis S. Nadelson, Carrie Semmelroth, Gregory Martinez, Matthew Featherstone, Casey Alexander Fuhriman, Andrew Sell

Carrie Semmelroth

Students’ expectations and experiences with university life are influenced by a number of variables. Many universities develop programs or promote aspects of existing programs to market the university’s image. This research was motivated by our desire to determine the relationships between first-year students’ college expectations and experiences, their awareness of the university’s programming and projected image, the influence of the programming and image on their decision to attend the institution, and the students’ personal characteristics. Our survey of 351 first-year students revealed positive perceptions of their university expectations and experiences, a mixture of influences on their decision to attend the …

Creating A Comprehensive Early Warning System To Further Student Success And Retention, Shane P. Hammond

Shane P Hammond

Student retention is critical to successful outcomes in higher education today. This completed project is about how to better track a student's performance and work with those struggling academically so that they are given the tools to better academic performance. This project reviewed the Academic Deficiency Report System at Greenfield Community College and identified flaws in the process that did not serve the students well. Based on the author's research of early warning models in the literature and best practices across the state of Massachusetts, an Early Progress Report and notification process was developed. This new version of the early …

Retrenchment In Higher Education: Public Perceptions And Marketing Implications, Oscar T. Mcknight, Ronald Paugh, Jamie Waltz, Jordan Mcknight

Oscar T McKnight Ph.D.

Many institutions in higher education are actively engaged in the retrenchment process; that is, eliminating, redacting or restructuring administrators, staff, faculty, programs and services in order to achieve financial stability. This research examined public perceptions of retrenchment by conducting a series of modified Delphi groups. Results suggest a public awareness and belief that retrenchment will not impact academic or experiential quality. Presented is REDUCE – a retrenchment strategy and process for university administrators and marketing professionals.

Exploring Anomalies In Indigenous Student Engagement : Findings From A National Australian Survey Of Undergraduates., Ali Radloff

Ali Radloff

Increases in participation by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in higher education across Australia continue to be promising. However, it is also known that Indigenous students' attrition, retention and completion rates remain areas of concern. In this paper, the author authors report findings from an analysis of Indigenous student responses to the 2009 Australasian Survey of Student Engagement. Overall, Indigenous Australian students express positive responses in relation to engagement, but are more likely than non-Indigenous students to be planning to depart. The authors explore this somewhat unexpected anomaly, whilst also suggesting that much more needs to be known about …

The Apprentice Retention Program: Evaluation And Implications For Ontario, Catharine Dishke Hondzel, Ronald Hansen

Catharine Dishke Hondzel

Apprentice retention and completion focus of new study

The completion rates of Ontario’s apprentices remain a point of concern, prompting growing interest in programs to improve retention and completion. A new study from the Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario examines the development, implementation and efficacy of the Apprentice Retention Program (ARP).

Project description

ARP was developed in a partnership with Western University, Fanshawe College, the local Ministry of Training Colleges and Universities’ (MTCU) Employment Ontario office, the Apprenticeship Network and the Elgin Middlesex Oxford Workplace Planning and Development Board. The program consisted of nine hands-on and two online workshops …

Allies In Learning: Critical Insights Into The Importance Of Staff-Student Interactions In University Education, Sarah Richardson, Ali Radloff

Ali Radloff

Discussions of the quality of learning in university education often focus on curricula. Less attention is paid to the role of student–staff interactions. In a context in which a host of factors place pressure on the opportunities for students and staff to interact, it is important to use empirical insights to inform decisions about how to optimise learning. This paper uses data from a large survey of students and teaching staff in Australia to suggest that students and staff should be regarded as allies in learning. It investigates student reports to suggest that frequent interactions with those who teach them …

Adult Learner Considerations In Admissions And Enrollment, Tammy R. Johnson, Sonja G. Cantrell

Tammy R. Johnson

As national focus on retention and student success increases, many states and institutions are looking for ways to increase the number of students who ultimately earn degrees. Many are realizing that the non-traditional adult student population is a historically untapped demographic that can provide almost instant, positive changes in graduation rates. This group is often considered low-hanging fruit and can be targeted to quickly complete unfinished degrees. This is especially true for institutions that have a large number of non-completers with high numbers of earned hours. Many non-returners have 90 or more earned hours and simply need some encouragement and …

Adult Learner Considerations In Admissions And Enrollment, Tammy R. Johnson, Sonja G. Cantrell

Sonja G. Cantrell

As national focus on retention and student success increases, many states and institutions are looking for ways to increase the number of students who ultimately earn degrees. Many are realizing that the non-traditional adult student population is a historically untapped demographic that can provide almost instant, positive changes in graduation rates. This group is often considered low-hanging fruit and can be targeted to quickly complete unfinished degrees. This is especially true for institutions that have a large number of non-completers with high numbers of earned hours. Many non-returners have 90 or more earned hours and simply need some encouragement and …

What Matters In College For Retaining Aspiring Scientists And Engineers From Underrepresented Racial Groups, Mitchell J. Chang, Jessica Sharkness, Sylvia Hurtado, Christopher B. Newman

Christopher B. Newman

This longitudinal study examined factors that contribute to the persistence of underrepresented racial minority (URM) undergraduates in STEM fields. The primary source of data came from the Cooperative Institutional Research Program’s 2004 The Freshman Survey (TFS) and 2008 College Senior Survey (CSS). The sample included 3,670 students at 217 institutions who indicated on the TFS that they intended to major in a STEM field, 1,634 of whom were underrepresented minority (URM) students. Findings indicate that Black and Latino undergraduates were significantly less likely to persist in STEM majors than were their White and Asian American counterparts. Background characteristics and college …

Examining Factors Influencing Attrition At A Small, Private, Selective Liberal Arts College, Ann M. Gansemer-Topf, Yi (Leaf) Zhang, Cameron C. Beatty, Scott Paja

Cameron C. Beatty, Ph.D.

Despite a diverse body of literature on college student retention, studies focusing on small, private, selective liberal arts colleges are limited. This study utilized a mixed methodology beginning with logistic regression analyses and followed with a qualitative inquiry that included interviews with students who had not persisted. While variables impacting persis- tence at selective institutions may differ from other types of institutions, the role of student affairs in student success remains critical.

Psychometric Analysis Of The Appreciative Advising Inventory, Nancy Crone

Nancy Crone

The Appreciative Advising Inventory is an instrument created for use in academic advising. The inventory helps the advisor get to know and understand the student, which in turn allows the advisor to better assist the student. This research provides a psychometric analysis of the Appreciative Advising Inventory to measure its validity and reliability and recommends alterations to the inventory based on the results of these analyses.

Assessing The Academic, Personal And Social Experiences Of Pre-College Students, Terence Hicks

Terence Hicks, Ph.D., Ed.D.

This study examined the before-and-after effects of transitional summer programs at the University of Maryland-Eastern Shore, on pre-college students' perceptions, expectations, emotions, and knowledge about college. The study focused on academic, personal and social experiences, and how these changed throughout the course of the summer program. The participants (n=197) of this study were traditional, first-time, full-time pre-college students. The participants attended one of two six-week summer programs, the Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation Program (LSAMP) or the Preparation and Adjustment for College Entrance Program (PACE). This study used a pre- and post-test, two-group comparison design with a quantitative component …

Turning Data Into Insight: A Data Driven Retention Model, Oscar T. Mcknight, Wenhui Jin

Oscar T McKnight Ph.D.

This poster session addresses how to turn data into insight; that is, when attempting to increasing college retention rates by Student Affairs assessment and intervention. The presentation emphasizes a four part strategy and culminates in demonstrating how to construct a predictive chart or a multivariate computer program; with an overview of both simple and multiple regression models. The ultimate goal is to design interventions that will upset the prediction model and increase student retention.

The Role Of Noncognitive Skills In College Completion, Linda Knicely

Ohio College Access Network

When did you last read a 200 page book in under sixty minutes? Everyone’s buzzing about journalist Paul Tough’s bestselling book How Children Succeed. These PPT slides accompanied the May 2013 webinar where we checked that off your bucket list and “unpacked” the book in an interesting and engaging manner. More importantly, hear the most current thinking (and the research behind it) about soft skills-noncognitive skills-social capital-executive functioning (choose your own label) and how vital it is that we, as youth advocates, realize their integral role in college completion.

Advising For Academic Rigor, Jefferson Blackburn-Smith, Kate Webster

Ohio College Access Network

Most commonly accepted definitions of “college ready” in use today include the phrase “qualified for and able to succeed in entry-level, credit-bearing college courses without the need for remedial coursework.” The key to attaining this global benchmark is rigorous academic preparation with focus, at all grade levels, on curricular alignment, effective advising, and the provision of the supports that students need to attain their academic goals. This PP slide deck accompanied a webinar by that same title that addresses all three of these components. The live webinar/training was timed to coincide with student course selection for the upcoming school year.

Strategies For Alignment: High School - Ihe, Rich Seils, Marie Ward, Ellen Cahill

Ohio College Access Network

A panel representing both secondary and higher education discussed the process utilized in Central Ohio through the HS-IHE Alignment Grant to align high school and college curricula and the agreed upon strategies to promote alignment. Discussion included both the alignment of course content and the alignment of the soft skills needed for college and career success. This Power Point accompanied the presentation by the same name at the 2012 OCAN Conference in Columbus, Ohio.

Brief History And Overview Of Community Colleges, Michael Snyder

Ohio College Access Network

This session will review the change in philosophy of higher education in the United States from being available only to those that could afford college to the open access and success agenda of today. The influence of the Land Grant colleges and now the community colleges to fulfill this philosophy will be presented. The session will end with a discussion of the challenges facing community colleges as they attempt to serve the U.S. today.

Higher Education Lockout: Examining The Low Income Student Experience, Charmaine E. Troy

Dr. Charmaine E. Troy

No abstract provided.

Australian Apprentice Retention Pilot Project: Report To Megt, Justin Brown, Phillip Mckenzie, Adrian Beavis

Dr Justin Brown

The Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) was engaged in February 2010 by MEGT to conduct research on the retention of first-year apprentices participating in the MEGT mentoring and social networking program. Sponsored by DEEWR, the Australian Apprentice Retention Pilot Project aims to improve the retention of apprentices in skills shortage trades. The project involves the provision of mentors to support apprentices at three sites: in Queensland (Logan/Ipswich); New South Wales (Western Sydney); and Victoria (Southeast Melbourne). The role of the mentors is to visit the apprentice and maintain ongoing contact through social networking tools such as Facebook and Twitter …

Analysis Of Year 12 Or Certificate Ii Attainment Of Indigenous Young People – Stage 1 : A Report Prepared For The Council Of Australian Governments Reform Council, John Ainley, Sarah Buckley, Adrian Beavis, Sheldon Rothman, Alice Tovey

Dr John Ainley

The purpose of this paper is to assist the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) Reform Council to analyse performance information relating to the Year 12 or Certificate II attainment of Indigenous young people and to understand better variations in performance across jurisdictions. As part of these analyses variations over time within each jurisdiction have been reported. The analyses use existing data sources. No new data have been collected. There are four strands to this work: a statistical overview of educational attainments and participation; multivariate analyses of influences on attainment; a review of literature intended to inform an understanding of trends …