The factors shaping whether students stay enrolled in college increasingly extend beyond the classroom, with financial pressures, mental health concerns and competing responsibilities complicating institutions’ efforts to keep students on track. At the same time, many colleges are struggling to find the resources and capacity they need to respond.
A new survey from EAB, conducted in June, explored the priorities and barriers guiding the practices and strategies of 459 student success leaders at two- and four-year institutions nationwide. It found that 59 percent of leaders said students’ social readiness had declined over the past year, while 54 percent reported a decline in academic readiness. Just 7 percent saw improvement in either area.
Tara Zirkel, director of strategic research at EAB and principal author of the report, said the findings show that trends that began during the pandemic have not yet substantially improved. The metrics include quantitative measures such as SAT and ACT scores and GPAs, as well as executive-function skills such as studying, problem-solving and staying engaged in class.
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