A literature review follows that looks at the scope of the problem and the common strategies used to increase graduation and persistence rates.  The purpose of this literature review is to gain insight into the problem and then to look at one aspect of the problem – students not having the necessary prerequisites to continue in a business major – and a possible “solution†to the problem: granting waivers to get students back on track.

 

Managing student success: do waivers help students get back on-track at college and increase graduation rates?

Because academic problems (such as prerequisites and grades), transfer issues, changing majors and personal reasons cause students to fall behind, do waivers (exceptions) provide a viable solution to students who may not graduate or cannot graduate on-time?  This research looks at a medium-sized state university’s attempt to formalize the waiver process and the impact of the process on retention.  This was done by instituting a required meeting with the department chair, an agreement with the student on how to proceed, and then analyzing the paper trail that followed the student until graduation over a four year period.