Identifying students “at risk” of withdrawal using ROC analysis of attendance data

McCluckie, B. (2014) Identifying students “at risk” of withdrawal using ROC analysis of attendance data. Journal of Further and Higher Education, 38(4), pp. 523-535. (doi: 10.1080/0309877X.2012.726970)

Abstract

Student retention has become increasingly important as student numbers continue to rise. Early identification of those students who are disengaging from their course is crucial if steps are to be taken to turn this around. Attendance data from the compulsory aspects of courses were gathered on a centrally held database during teaching week six of semester one. Students who did not meet a pre-set threshold of expected attendance, derived from ROC analysis of historical attendance data, were identified as ‘at risk’ of withdrawal to their Adviser of Studies during teaching week seven. These students were contacted and encouraged to make an appointment with their Adviser so that they could receive help with any difficulties they were having. The entire cohort was then reviewed in the following academic year to see if they had withdrawn, continued (in any year) or progressed to the second year of their programme.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: McCluckie, Mr Barry
• Authors: McCluckie, B.
• College/School: University Services > Learning and Teaching Services Division
• Journal Name: Journal of Further and Higher Education
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis
• ISSN: 0309-877X
• ISSN (Online): 1469-9486
• Published Online: 05 November 2012