Illuminating Personal Factors Contributing to the Trajectory of Student Dropouts and Stopouts

Abstract

This report is the first of a series of two reports focused on examining the stopout and dropout phenomena at Sacramento State. For the purpose of this study, the data analysis and interpretation centers on highlight-ing personal issues influencing student departure. Personal issues are defined as the concern with students’ mental health, economic, social, and health predicaments. The purpose of this study was to derive at a comprehensive understanding of what mediates students to stopout and dropout at Sacramento State. A guiding objective of this study was to develop a data driven framework for examining practices that serve to facilitate effectiveness in moving students toward de-gree completion. An important companion to the data analysis and interpretation are the sections on recom-mendations for action. It is our hope Sacramento State uses the captured sentiment, voices, and suggestions of student participants to improve degree comple-tion. This has policy implications for early prevention, particularly for our most vulnerable students.