Abstract
Purpose. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether or not a relationship exists between student attrition and tuition increases for California's Community Colleges during fall 2002 through spring 2005. The study further seeks solutions to the long-standing problem of student attrition within these educational institutions. Provisional aspects explore changing funding policies from enrollment-based measures to performance-based measures. Theoretical framework. The theoretical framework for this study uses the overarching framework of System's Theory with its subsets of Economics, Cybernetics, and Abstracts. Methodology. This study implements both qualitative and quantitative research methods. The subjects and target population for this study's primary research were 169 community college students enrolled in classes at Victor Valley Community College during spring 2005. Subjects responded to one research instrument that consisted of a 28-item electronic survey. Survey questions probed student's demographic information and perception pertaining to their educational commitments and funding thereof. This study also analyzes secondary institutional data consolidated on enrollment and retention statistics from the State of California Chancellor's Office for the same time periods. Findings and conclusions. This study finds a slight to moderate correlation between tuition increases and student retention. However, the findings reveal that shifting enrollment-based funding policies to performance-based funding policies will yield decreases in attrition for California's Community Colleges. Students possess an increased motivation to remain in classes with increases in tuition expenses only when educational costs are allocated from personal funds. Current penalties for dropping courses are ineffective. Attrition is attributed to many different student characteristics. Currently, there is no way to end the long-standing problem of attrition in community colleges. Best-case scenario, performance policy changes will reduce attrition ratios. Recommendations. Recommendations of this study examine the possibilities of changing current funding policies from enrollment-based to performance-based measures.