Looking for feedback and comments on my action research presentation. Please identify yourself as well as your institution or teaching role. Thank you so much
2. Problem Statement
The problem, as indicated in this study,
involved a large private university that was
experiencing retention decline of up to 30% in
undergraduate students after they complete
their 4th course. Students began to drop their
program on or about their 3rd or 4th class into
their undergraduate degree program.
3. Purpose
Identify factors related to declining retention
Increased student drop rates
Isolate the culprits
Conduct research
Survey current students
Implement solution strategy
Repeat survey
Report and Recommend
4. Work Setting
Largest Private University
Campus classrooms (2)
Undergraduate students
Freshman
New students
At risk students
Adjunct faculty
Open enrollment access
6. Causative Analysis
At Risk Students
Socio-economic factors
Background influences
Open Enrollment
Underserved populations
Ease of enrollment
University accountability
7. Problem Description
Declining Retention in undergraduate
freshman students
Drop out rate increasing
Quality of Student Services
High Risk students
Changing demographics
Underserved populations
Faculty Involvement
8. Problem Documentation
UOPX Total Enrollment by Ethnicity National Total Enrollment by Ethnicity
Native American
1% Native American
Asian 3% Other 4% 1% Other 4%
White 51%
Asian 7%
Hispanic 11% White White
Hispanic 11%
Black Black
Hispanic Hispanic
Asian Asian
Native American Native American
Other Other
Black 13%
Black 30% White 64%
9. Risk Factors
Gender-Male
Race-Minority
Socio-economic status-poor
Single Parents
Employed Part-time
No academic support system
Not prepared for the demands of college life
Performed poorly in high school
10. Risk Factors
Risk Factor#1 Enrolling in college part-time, takes too long to finish, students
get discouraged.
Risk Factor#2 Delaying entry into postsecondary education after high school.
Risk Factor#3 Not having a regular high school diploma, rather a GED
equivalent.
Risk Factor#4 Having Children
Risk Factor#5 Being a single parent
Risk Factor#6 Being Financially independent of parents
Risk Factor#7 Working Full-Time while enrolled
11. Open Enrollment
Easy access
No entrance exams required
No waitlists
Little or no application fees
Underserved populations
Attractive to high risk students
Attract diverse populations
High pressure enrollment
12. Expected Outcomes
Identify retention factors
Implement
Change in retention rates
Increase in graduation rates
Improve faculty communication
Improve student services
Provide resources for at risk students
13. Measurement Outcomes
Student surveys
Identify trends
Increase retention by 5%
1.5 standard deviation or greater in the level of
retention
Create positive change
Increase student satisfaction
14. Solution Strategy
Identify risk factors
Implement new student services program
Offer resources such as on campus child care,
on-campus housing, employment assistance
Increase faculty communication and
interaction
Update learning environments
Remediation for low high school achievers
15. Results
Compare both survey results
Document change in student satisfaction
Solution strategy emulation
Program can be replicated
New services provide needed support
Higher retention after implementation
Lower drop rates after implementation
16. Recommendation
Revisit the costs associated with new student
services and revise as necessary
Select committee to oversee program
Review and revise annually
Speaking opportunities at other colleges to
share program success.
Publish articles in education journals about the
solution strategy success.
17. References
Borrego, A.M. (2002). U.S. department of education will emphasize retention in next higher education act. Chronicle of Higher Education, (19)7, 20-21.
Buglear, J. (2009). Logging in and dropping out: exploring student non-completion in higher education using electronic footprint analysis. Journal of Further &
Higher Education, 33(4), 381-393. doi:10.1080/03098770903272479.
Hackman, R., & Oldham, G. (1980). Work Redesign. Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley.
Hovdaughen, E. & Aamodt, P. (2009). Learning environment: relevant or not to students' decision to leave university? Quality in Higher Education, (15)2, 177-
189.
Huett, J., Kalinowski, K., Moller, L., Huett, K. C. (2009). Improving the Motivation and Retention of Online Students Through the use of ARCS-Based E-Mails.
American Journal of Distance Education. Jul 2008, (22)3, 159-176
Legg, A. & Wilson, J. (2009). E-mail from professor enhances student motivation and attitudes. Teaching of Psychology, 36(3), 205-211.
Levitz, R. S., Noel, L., & Richter, B. J. (1999). Strategic moves for retention success. In G.H. Gaither (Ed.), Promising practices in recruitment,
remediation, and retention (pp. 31–50). (New Directions for Higher Education, n. 108) San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
Lorenzetti, J.P (2010). Ten critical persistence factors affecting online community college students. Recruitment & Retention in Higher Education, (24)3, 1-6.
McMillan, J. & Schumacher, S. (2006). Research in Education: Evidence based Inquiry, Appendix D (6th ed.). Boston, Pearson Education.
Muirhead, B. (2006). Academic research presentations: practical advice for today's graduate students. International Journal of Instructional Technology &
Distance Learning, (20)4, 33-38.
National Center for Education Statistics, Special Analysis, 2002. Non-Traditional Undergraduates.
http://nces.ed.gov/programs/coe/2002/analysis/nontraditional/index/asp.
National Center for Education Statistics. University of Phoenix, (2009). Demographics Figures & Charts, (2007).
Reason, R. (2009). Student variables that predict retention: recent research and new developments. NASPA Journal (National Association of Student
Personnel Administrators, Inc.), 46(3), 482-501. Retrieved from Education Research Complete database.
Seidman, Alan, (2006). College student retention: a primmer. Center for the Study of College Student Retention.
University of Phoenix, (2009). Annual Academic Report. Phoenix Arizona.
