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

1. ACTION RESEARCH PROPOSAL
Motivation Strategies Impacting Undergraduate Retention
Leslie McGinn/EDD580/July 5, 2010

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

5. Writers Role
 Teacher
 Researcher
 Graduate student
 Stakeholder
 Life-Long Learner

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.
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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.