Monitoring student retention in the Open University: definition, measurement, interpretation and action

Abstract

Attempts to improve retention in conventional college settings in the United States (see Barefoot article in this issue) have emphasized the importance of institutions having good information systems and appropriate interpretation of information as a means of identifying where retention is a problem and what might be causing student withdrawal, and for monitoring the impact of interventions designed to improve retention. This article describes the information on student retention collected within the Open University (UK), its interpretation, and the uses made of such information to improve student retention. Observations are made about overall retention rates and students' reasons for withdrawing, and a model for tackling courses with low retention is described.

Notes

* Institute of Educational Technology, The Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes MK7 6AA, UK. Email: [email protected]

This paper is restricted to undergraduate level.

All figures exclude missing data.

The OU does of course monitor conversion from enquiry to reservation through to registration before course start and registration at course start.

The OU end‐of‐course survey, November 2002.

Based on a four‐point rating scale: not at all, not very, fairly, and very.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Alison Ashby*

* Institute of Educational Technology, The Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes MK7 6AA, UK. Email: [email protected]