Tinto Interactionism Model

843 Words2 Pages

Tinto’s Interactionalist Theory of Student Departure provides the foundation to discuss retention in higher education. The study examined and measured student factors that affect their persistence and completion of their college courses. Tinto (1975) spent many years examining the theoretical reasons why students do not persist in college. Tinto specifically looking at students who drop out of college by creating awareness of the issue and helping institutions begin to change focus from placing blame on the students to helping institutions see their role in student retention. Tinto (2012) and Friedman and Mandel (2011) identified several factors that affect undergraduate retention rates including academic, economic, and social changes, to name …show more content…

These students did not assimilate or connect with the values of the campus community; instead, they spent time trying to find ways to validate why they cannot connect to the college community. When a student is not socially or academically connected to the college, this lack of connection increases their chances of leaving college to pursue other opportunities (Tinto, 2006). Community college students often indicate they have outside responsibilities that can affect their ability to persist in their college courses. Some of these factors include caring for young children, working to support their families (part or full time), and being the first in their families to attend college (Rowan-Kenyon, Swan, Deutsch, & Gansneder, 2012). Tinto (2006) also found students reported they withdraw from college for financial, personal, or family reasons. More than half of the students indicate this is a reason why they decide to withdraw from …show more content…

This study is necessary to understand the reasons and factors that affect a student’s ability to persist in their courses. As noted in the research, there are many factors that affect a student’s ability to complete their course work. However, there is not sufficient research from the students’ perspective of their experiences within the mediated withdrawal process. The programs are designed to help students connect to their campus communities therefore, it is important to better understand their

Open Document