proceedings of Student Mobility and ICT: Can E-LEARNING

• Interest in the
subject
• Job prospects
• Teaching
quality
• Facilities
Stress
Motivation
Satisfaction
Social integration
• Relations with
students
• Relations with
staff
• Relations with
parents
Academic
performance
Self-esteem
Commitment
Extent of personal
investment
• Time and effort
• Disruptive effects
of withdrawal
• Financial
Figure 1. Model of drop out predictors in higher school.
(modified by R. Bennett (2003). Determinants of Undergraduate Student Drop Out Rates in a University
Business Studies Department. Journal of Further and Higher Education, Vol. 27, No. 2)
Several studies have been conducted on special student populations with high drop-out rates. For
example, senior working adults who attend universities may be returning to prepare for a second career or
to update their knowledge and skills for the changing work environment. These students are older than the
traditional 18-24 year old higher school students who are preparing to enter the labour market. Older adults
most often are part-time students and a majority of them have jobs while attending a higher school.
Researchers have found out that persistence rates were lower for older adults at universities who worked
more hours and studied part-time (Naretto, 1995). They also have noted that a supportive social
environment relates positively to the retention of older adults (Ashar. Skenes, 1993; Naretto, 1995).
Other studies have focused on a situation when many enrolled young people find out that they are
under-prepared. Placement test results show that they must complete preparatory courses prior to creditbearing
university-level classes. Secondary schools are ineffective in keeping students engaged in schools
and fully preparing them for post-secondary and employment options. Many point to the curriculum, which
lacks both rigor and relevance in many secondary schools. Students need not only rigorous material to stay
engaged but also understanding of why the material is relevant to the real world. Therefore the importance
of a tutoring phenomenon is evident, especially in Lithuanian context (Bdien, Zabulionis, 2006).
Description and analysis of the research on the most popular study subjects, tutorials on which were taken
by school children or those seeking for admission to higher university institutions allow identify those
study subjects, on which off-line and on-line preparatory courses might be offered: Mathematics, Foreign
language, Lithuanian language, History, Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
Indicators of need for preparatory teaching in Lithuania
• Effectiveness of study
habits
• Adequacy of study skills on
entry
• Timing of enrolment
• Quality of advice on degree
choice
• Financial hardships
• Supportive family
Stay/quit
decision
Personal
problems
• Health
• Family
• Others
Drop out rates analysis in higher education
The issue how to reduce drop-out rates in higher education has been of increasing concern.
Therefore numerous researchers mentioned above as well as Lithuanian ones have studied drop-out
predictors in higher schools and universities (Gaigalien, 2006; Gudžinskien, 2007; Padaigien, Purvinis,
menien, Vasiliauskait, 2007; Liukineviien, Vaiaitien, 2006, etc.).
A big part of Lithuanian researchers have identified that a study program chosen without a proper
consideration is one of the reasons for canceling studies. Students are given an opportunity to apply to 16
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