Self-paced post-secondary studies are expected to become much more common in the near future, yet little is known about the causes of student withdrawal from such programs. This paper studies student withdrawal from an entire degree program rather than a particular course, examining both qualitative and quantitative data. We find that staff behaviors and perceived educational quality are related to the likelihood of withdrawal. Demographic characteristics (gender, full-time employment, and marital status) are unrelated to the likelihood of withdrawal. Implications for research and practice are also discussed.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
AldrichJ. H.NelsonF. D.. 1984. Linear Probability, Logit, and Probit Models.Newbury Park, CA: Sage.
2.
BaronR.A.NeumanJ. H.. 1998. “Workplace Aggression-The Iceberg Beneath the Tip of Workplace Violence: Evidence of its Forms, Frequency, and Targets. Public Administration Quarterly21: 446–464.
3.
BobicM.DavisE.CunninghamR.. 1999. “The Kirton Adaptation-Innovation Inventory.” Review of Public Personnel Administration19(2): 18–31.
4.
BrothenT.1996. Comparison of Non-Performers and High Performers in a Computer-Assisted Mastery Learning Course for Developmental Students. Research and Teaching in Developmental Education13: 69–74.
5.
CarsonK.D.CarsonP.P.RoeC. W.BirkenmeierB.J.PhillipsJ. S.. 1999. “Four Commitment Profiles and Their Relationships to Empowerment, Service Recovery, and Work Attitudes. Public Personnel Management28: 1–13.
6.
CohenS.EimickeW.KamletM.PearsonR.. 1998. The Information Resource Management Program: A Case Study in Distance Education. Journal of Public Affairs Education4(3): 179–192.
7.
ConnickG. P1997. “Issues and Trends to Take Us into the Twenty-first Century. In CyrsT. E., Teaching and Leaning at a Distance: What It Takes to Effectively Design, Deliver, and Evaluate Programs.San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
8.
CyrsT. E.1997. “Competence in Teaching at a Distance. In CyrsT. E., Teaching and Leaning at a Distance: What It Takes to Effectively Design, Deliver, and Evaluate Programs.San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
9.
DuxburyL.HigginsC.LeeC.. 1994. “Work-Family Conflicts Comparison by Gender, Family Type, and Perceived Control.” Journal of Family Issues15: 449–466.
10.
EhrlichE.1989. “The Mommy Track: Juggling Kids and Careers in Corporate America Takes A Controversial Turn.” Business Week4096: 126–134.
11.
FriedmanD. E.1988. “Why the Glass Ceiling?” Across the Board. July-August: 33–37.
12.
GlaserM A.HildrethW B.. 1999. “Service Delivery Satisfaction and Willingness to Pay Taxes: Citizen Recognition of Local Government Performance” Public Productivity and Management Review23: 48–67.
13.
GrabmeierJ.1995. “The Burden Women Bear: Why They Suffer More Distress Than Men.” USA Today124(2602): 72–75.
14.
HochschildA.MachungAnne. 1990. The Second Shift.New York: Avon Books.
15.
HochschildA.1997. The Time Bind: When Work Becomes Home and Home Becomes Work.New York: Metropolitan Books.
16.
JonesT.SchiemanE.. 1995. “Learner Involvement: A Review of the Elements of More Effective Distance Education. Canadian Journal of Educational Communication24(2): 97–104.
17.
KellyR.M.1991. The Gendered Economy-Work, Careers, and Success.Newbury Park, CA.: Sage Publications
18.
KimJ. O.MuellerC. W.1978. Factor Analysis: Statistical Methods and Practical Issues.Newbury Park, CA: Sage.
19.
LangeJ. E.FundisR.J.. 1994. “Characteristics of Successful Learning Center Students.” Hillsboro, MO: Jefferson College.
20.
LemireL.SabaT.GagnonY.. 1999. “Managing Career Plateauing in the Quebec Public Sector. Public Personnel Management28: 375–391.
21.
MackinJ.1995. “Women, Stress, and Midlife.” Human Ecology Forum23(4): 20–23.
22.
PalmerI.1998. “Arts Managers and Managerialism: A Cross-Sector Analysis of CEOs' Orientations and Skills.” Public Productivity and Management Review21: 433–452.
23.
ReevesT. C.1993. “Pseudoscience in Instructional Technology: The Case of Learner Control Research.” Paper presented at the Annual Convention of the Association for Educational Communications and Technology.
