Retention and Attrition of Students in Higher Education: Challenges in Modern Times to What Works

Abstract

Retention and attrition rates in higher education have long been a focus of research. This paper presents findings of 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 educational framework, and comprehensive mentoring of new students. Finally, sustainability of these strategies in modern times is discussed.

The misuses of sustainability: Adult education, citizenship and the dead hand of neoliberalism

“…Lynette Swift (2012, p. 259) examines ''approaches to determining the financial viability of academic programmes as a critical component of assessing a programme's overall sustainability''. In this reduced, ''business'' shape, the concept has been deployed across many other areas of institutional activity: thus we have ''sustainable feedback'' (Carless et al 2010), ''sustainable university-wide fieldwork education'' (Trede 2010), ''sustainable widening participation'' (Reed et al 2015), and sustainable ''retention and attrition strategies'' (Maher and Macallister 2013).…”

Toolkit for success: The Griffith Health suite of online student support resources. A Practice Report

“…Current transition theory indicates that commencing students must navigate a range of challenging issues in relation to academic, social, and personal aspects of the new student experience (Hughes & Smail, 2015;Kift & Nelson, 2005;Nelson et al, 2012). In order to successfully support students through this often anxietyprovoking process, recent research suggests that educational institutions should take a holistic, systematic approach to facilitating the 'first year experience' (Egea & McKenzie, 2012;Nelson et al, 2012), focusing on embedding scalable and sustainable strategies that enhance the student learning experience and promote academic and social integration, active participation, and academic support (Kift & Nelson, 2005;Maher & Macallister, 2013).…”

Examining undergraduate student retention in mathematics using network analysis and relative risk

“…In n mathematics this cost is estimated also in terms of loss of selfesteem, and student and staff satisfaction [8]. Increased retention may enhance a university's reputation, lead to beneficial cost and operating efficiency strategies and better student placement in future employment [19,20].…”