Improving Attendance in an Undergraduate Business Program at a For-Profit College.

Improving Attendance in an Undergraduate Business Program at a For-Profit College by Erica Schacht MA, Iona College, 2007 BA, Salve Regina University, 2002 Project Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Education Walden University June 2018 Abstract At a small for-profit college located outside of New York City, declining classroom attendance over the last few years has become a serious concern in the business program. Poor attendance is one of the major causes for enrollment dropping and poor student retention. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to identify factors that influence student attendance. The study was based on Tinto’s (1975) model of student integrationAt a small for-profit college located outside of New York City, declining classroom attendance over the last few years has become a serious concern in the business program. Poor attendance is one of the major causes for enrollment dropping and poor student retention. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to identify factors that influence student attendance. The study was based on Tinto’s (1975) model of student integration and Nora and Cabrera’s (1996) student adjustment model, which relates environmental influences on student retention. The research questions were used to investigate why students attend or do not attend classes, and strategies to improve classroom attendance. Data collection included semistructured face-to-face interviews with a purposeful sample of 16 students, 3 teachers in the business program, and 3 administrators. Textual analysis of the data, and a qualitative data analysis software program was used to manage and analyze the qualitative data. The data analysis revealed the following themes: academic reasons, social influences, and financial challenges. These findings led to the development of a 3-day professional learning workshop for teachers, students, and administrators to improve class attendance. This study also has the potential to foster positive social change by providing strategies that facilitate retention and higher graduation rates, resulting in students graduating with a degree and skills to find better employment opportunities. Improving Attendance in an Undergraduate Business Program at a For-Profit College by Erica Schacht MA, Iona College, 2007 BA, Salve Regina University, 2002 Project Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Education Walden University June 2018 Dedication This proposal is dedicated to my parents and sister who made this all possible. And, to my best friend, Maria Gangi, who helped keep me sane throughout the whole process as well as edit my work for me and guide me throughout. Acknowledgments I would like to thank my family, especially my parents for providing me with the tools necessary to make it this far in my education and for always believing I could make it this far. I also want to thank Dr. Robert Hogan, my committee chair, Dr. Lynn Orr, my second committee chair, and Dr. Jean Sorrell, the university research reviewer. Dr. Hogan, thank you for all of the guidance and patience you have had throughout my journey. It is appreciated more than you will ever know.