| Nationally, part-time students comprise over half of all enrollments in community colleges; however over 70 percent of part-time students do not complete their degree or certificate. Part-time community college students tend to fit in the category of nontraditional undergraduates. These students are more likely to be older, delay enrollment, work full-time, have financial independence, and have dependents other than a spouse. While it is possible that high attrition rates may be attributed to such characteristics, few research studies have been able to define the relationship between nontraditional undergraduate characteristics and their decision to depart early from college.;This study investigates the factors related to short-term persistence of part-time students enrolled for the first time at nine community colleges within the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD). A postsecondary student retention model will be used to examine how student pre-entry characteristics, initial educational goals, academic integration, and external commitments are related to term persistence (semester-to-semester) and one-year persistence of part-time students. Based on the survey responses of 2,159 first-time students enrolled in Fall 2000 at LACCD, this study concludes that part-time students had a lower likelihood of term persistence and one-year persistence. Specifically, students taking fewer than 6 units or 6-11.5 units at the beginning of the Fall 2000 semester had a lower likelihood of persistence in community college compared to full-time students. In addition, four pre-entry characteristics were found to be negatively related to persistence: age (20-24), ethnicity (black), gender (males), and low-income status. However, transfer plans to a four-year institution, higher college grade point average, and financial aid were found to increase the likelihood of community college persistence. |
