Student Withdrawal Behavior in Introductory College Economics Course

Abstract

Student \Vithdrawals are a common concern in many introductory economics courses because they are wasteful of student, departmental and societal resources. This paper develops a model that explains a student's decision to withdraw from an introductory economics course based upon utility theory. The model is tested using a logistic regression specification. Six factors are found to have a significant influence on the student's decision. The implications are drawn out for teaching strategies and administrative decisions that might reduce withdrawals. (A2)