Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability
Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability

Florida's Postsecondary Institutions Employ a Variety of Support Services for Students

Report 06-52, June 2006

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Report Summary

  • As is the case in other states, many students, including 29% of those in Florida's state university baccalaureate degree programs, 36% of those in Florida community college associate degree programs, and 47% of those in Florida private, non-profit university baccalaureate degree programs, do not graduate or remain in school within six years for university students or four years for community college students. Although some of these students transferred to another institution, others simply dropped out.
  • Florida's public and private universities and community colleges employ a number of strategies to increase their student graduation and retention rates. These include proactive advising, co-locating student support services, implementing strategies to engage students and parents with the institutions, and providing opportunities such as freshman learning seminars to improve students' skills. Research shows that these strategies can be effective in helping students remain in school and graduate.

Related Reports
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    Report 09-22 March 2009
  2. Excess Hours Cost State $62 Million Annually; University Actions May Help Address Problem
    Report 06-58 August 2006
  3. OPPAGA Report: Student Tracking Systems Can Be Used to Enhance Graduation and Retention Rates
    Report 06-48 May 2006
  4. Excess Hours at Community Colleges Warrant Attention by the Department of Education and the Legislature
    Report 05-30 April 2005
Copies of this report in print or alternate accessible format may be obtained by email OPPAGA@oppaga.fl.gov, telephone (850) 488-0021, or mail 111 W. Madison St., Room 312 Tallahassee, FL 32399-1475.
Copies of this report in print or alternate accessible format may be obtained by email OPPAGA@oppaga.fl.gov, telephone (850) 488-0021, or mail 111 W. Madison St., Room 312 Tallahassee, FL 32399-1475.
education, school districts, community colleges, State university system, community college system, independent colleges and universities, graduation rates, retention rates, students remaining in school; part-time students; student advising, academic advising; graduation requirements; course sequence lists; at-risk students; early warning systems; co-locating support services; orientation; learning communities; on-campus housing; learning skills courses; tutoring services, excess hours, advising, community colleges, institutional incentives, financial incentives, student characteristics, legislative standard, universities, tuition, general fees, affordability, excess hours, locked in tuition, bright futures, scholarship, florida prepaid, acceleration mechanisms, baccalaureate, dual enrollment, CLEP, advanced placement, education, schools, financial burden, out-of-state tuition, best financial management practice, performance reviews, schools, school districts, management structures,