A Study of the Student Retention Effort in the New Brunswick Community College System

Authors

  • Larry John Phillips Department of Advanced Education and Training, New Brunswick

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.56105/cjsae.v5i1.2294

Abstract

In recent years the student population of all post secondary institutions has been changing. The numbers of traditional high school graduates are declining while the number of nontraditional students are increasing. This new wave of students is more susceptible to dropping out and requires more assistance if they are to succeed in college. This study examines what the New Brunswick community colleges are doing to retain students. The New Brunswick Community College system is unique in comparison with similar American institutions and differs somewhat from other community college systems in Canada. It is administered centrally by a government ministry, the Department of Advanced Education and Training. The system comprises nine separate colleges, each with its own local administration and principal. Each of the nine college principals was contacted to identify a person knowledgeable on student retention activities who could act as a respondent for the survey. All respondents' names were staff members in a Student Services section of a community college. Each respondent completed a written questionnaire and was interviewed to ascertain what the colleges consider to be effective strategies to accomplish retention goals. Responses provided information about the individual college and the general problem of student retention; about student retention and attribution in the past five years; and about how the college is organized to promote retention. Reported activities were organized to show how they related to three educational phases: Moving In, Moving Through, and Moving On. A current statistical profile of student attrition and retention is not kept by the New Brunswick Community Colleges. A description of the past and present programs and services and how they are perceived by those responsible for them is provided. The data indicate that the colleges provide a higher and more consistent level of service during the Moving In phase than during the other two phases. It also shows a disproportion of student services based on college size; the larger colleges offer more activities and programs than the smaller colleges. However, all colleges attempt several student retention programs and are actively supporting the students they enrol. The study led to the conclusions that clearly defined goals should be established for the student retention programs and a method established to monitor and assess the results of such services.

Résumé

La clientèle des institutions d'enseignement post-secondaire a changé au cours des dernières années. Alors que la clientèle traditionnelle qui provient du secondaire diminue, celle qui provient d'autres secteurs augmente. Cette nouvelle clientèle semble plus susceptible d'abandonner les études et exige un meilleur encadrement afin de l'aider à réussir. Cet article présente d'abord une recension d'écrits sur la fréquentation scolaire et la persévérance dans les études. Les résultats varient chez les auteurs selon qu'on se situe en début, en cours ou en fin de programme. Des responsables de services aux étudiants de chacun des collèges communautaires du Nouveau-Brunswick ont rempli un questionnaire et participé à une entrevue afin d'identifier les stratégies utilisées pour conserver la clientèle. Il ressort qu'il existe de meilleurs services de support et d'encadrement en début de programme. La recherche conclut à la nécessité d'établir des objectifs clairs et précis en vue de conserver les nouvelles clientèles et à la nécessité de mettre en place des méthodes d'évaluation et de suivi des services offerts. Les phénomènes d'abandon et de fréquentation scolaire des nouvelles clientèles des institutions d'enseignement ont déjà intéressé plusieurs chercheurs américains. Ces phénomènes n'ont cependant pas été étudiés de manière approfondie dans les collèges et universités canadiennes. Plusieurs institutions scolaires ont échoué dans leurs efforts de conserver la clientèle une fois qu'elles l'ont inscrite. Il y a done nécessité de créer des services d'encadrement et de support qui soient efficaces. De tels services s'avèrent essentiels pour les années 90.

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Published

1991-05-01

How to Cite

Phillips, L. J. (1991). A Study of the Student Retention Effort in the New Brunswick Community College System. Canadian Journal for the Study of Adult Education, 5(1), 1–31. https://doi.org/10.56105/cjsae.v5i1.2294

Issue

Vol. 5 No. 1 (1991)

Section

Articles

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