Retention and success of first year college students

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Date
2002
Authors
Takeda, Cathy
University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Education
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Lethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Faculty of Education, 2002
Abstract
The effectiveness of an Initiative Program that helps conditionally accepted college students succeed and stay in college was investigated. The two groups of participants (approximately 80 students) were first semester students attending Lethbridge Community College (LCC) in fall 1999 and fall 2000 semesters who had no previous post-secondary experiences. Below acceptance level computerized placement test scores were used to establish which students participated in this study. These students were conditionally accepted into the General Studies Program and would require remedial courses and additional support. An Initiative Program was the treatment for the fall 2000 participants and focused on remedial courses, social, personal, and academic issues. The fall 1999 participants were not part of the Initiative Program. Two continuous semesters for each group were compared. Success was measured according to student grade point average (GPA) scores of 1.5 or higher. Retention was measured according to registration in any LCC program in the student's second semester. The number of successful Initiative Program students increased from 59% in their first semester to 65% in their second semester. Also, 80% of Initiative Program students returned for a second semester. Although 91 % of non-Initiative Program students returned for a second semester, their success rate dropped from 68% in semester one to 58% in semester two. A survey and student registration data were used to gather information for this study. Program recommendations included more communication among instructors and students and an effective way to identify Initiative students in the registration system.
Description
vii, 109 leaves ; 29 cm. --
Keywords
College students -- Alberta -- Lethbridge , College dropouts -- Prevention -- Alberta -- Lethbridge , College attendance -- Alberta -- Lethbridge
Citation