Non-intellectual and attitudinal variables involved in the high attrition rate of black students at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine nonintellectual and attitudinal variables involved in the high attrition rate of black students at the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse. A questionnaire was mailed to all Black American undergraduate students and a random sample of 200 non-black undergraduates enrolled at the university fall semester, 1974, to collect biographical and attitudinal data. The total number included in the study was 34 black students and 28 non-black. The subjects were divided into four groups: black returnees, black nonreturnees, non-black nonreturnees, non-black returnees. The data obtained were tabulated and a total tally and percentages were computed for the biographical information. T-test for independent means were computed to determine if significant attitudinal differences existed between the four groups. The results indicated some significant biographical differences exist between black returnees and black non-returnees. However, no significant attitudinal differences were found between the two groups. Statistically significant differences were noted for 13 of the 21 attitudinal items when comparing black students with non-black students.