Perceived Quality of Academic Advising: The Effect on Freshman Attrition

Barbara S. Metzner

Using data from 1,033 freshmen at a public urban university, this study
examined the effect of the perceived quality of academic advising on student
attrition in a model of the student attrition process. High-quality advising
negatively influenced attrition through effects on GPA, satisfaction in the role
of a student, the value of a college education for future employment, and
intent to leave the university. Low-quality advising was related to greater
attrition than was high-quality advising, but, on the other hand, low-quality
advising was associated with less attrition than no advising at all. The effect
size of the advising variables suggested that a more extensive provision of
high-quality advising might be considered as one strategy in a multifaceted
institutional effort to reduce freshman attrition.

The Impact of More Fully Implemented Guidance Programs on the School

Experiences of High School Students: A Statewide Evaluation Study

Relationships between the statewide implementation of comprehensive

guidance programs and the school experiences of high school students were
explored. Data from 22,964 students attending 236 Missouri high schools
were analyzed by using hierarchical linear modeling. Schools with more fully
implemented model guidance programs had students who were more likely to
report that (a) they had earned higher grades, (b) their education was better
preparing them for their future, (c) their school made more career and
college information available to them, and (d) their school had a more
positive climate. Positive program effects were found after removing
differences due to school enrollment size, socioeconomic status, and
percentage of minority students in attendance. Results highlight the
important roles school counselors play in promoting the central educational
goals of their schools and support a comprehensive guidance program focus
for university counseling faculty who train school counselors.