COMMUNITY COLLEGE WITHDRAWAL DECISIONS: STUDENT CHARACTERISTICS AND SUBSEQUENT REENROLLMENT PATTERNS

Abstract

The Withdrawing / Nonreturning Student Survey was completed by 208 community college students over a six‐semester period. Student responses were analyzed to determine reasons for the withdrawal decision, the relationship of student characteristics to these reasons, and the subsequent implementation of reenrollment intent over 1 to 3 years. Student characteristics, including gender and ethnicity, demonstrated significant relationships to withdrawal decisions, with women reporting more health, family, and emotional reasons and men reporting nonchallenging coursework. Minority withdrawals were related to multiple academic and social factors, as well as transportation problems, which may be institution‐specific or may be associated with lower socioeconomic status. Course completion rates and grade point averages (GPAs) were greater for academically prepared students and stop‐outs. GPAs were lower for men and students reporting budgeting problems. Reenroll‐ment plans at withdrawal did not accurately predict subsequent enrollment patterns for many students who were undecided or who did not demonstrate reenrollment intent.