Constructing Vocational and Technical College Student Persistence Models

We constructed student persistence models for students at a vocational and technical college in Taiwan to predict student retention. Based on suicide, employee turnover, and social bond theories and relevant empirical research, a conceptual model was presented. Logistic regressions produced first and second semester persistence models. Our results also supported the statistical significance of nine variables (first semester grade point average (GPA), entrance examination scores, gender, first semester social integration, second semester GPA, first semester gym grade, housing, major department, and occupational guidance program) in the conceptual model. The overall classification rate for the primary persistence model was 77.0%, and for the secondary persistence model, was 78.0%. The primary and secondary persistence models can be used to calculate the probability of persistence for freshman-year students at the end of the first and second semesters.