A study of factors affecting attrition in late French immersion

Ellsworth, Corinne C. (1997) A study of factors affecting attrition in late French immersion. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

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Abstract

This study was an attempt to develop an understanding of factors influencing attrition in Late French Immersion (LFI). The purpose of the investigation was to identify and describe the reasons students attribute to their withdrawal from LFI. The variables of gender, time of year and grade level of attrition, age, and number of years since students dropped out from the LFI program were also examined in relationship to the student's decision to drop out. -- A written questionnaire incorporating a Likert type scale and open-ended questions was developed and administered to 73 students, and/or former students, of the former Avalon North Integrated School Board who had dropped out during the years 1986-1996. -- Responses from the survey were analyzed and compared using the Chi Square test of independence at p<.05 to examine levels of significance of variables as they relate to attrition in LFI. Comments provided by students in response to open-ended questions were discussed. -- Findings from this study indicate that grade 7 students are at greatest risk for early drop out from the LFI program and, that students tend to leave at year end, rather than mid-semester. Males were identified as having more negative perceptions of the LFI program than females, but were not found to drop out in greater numbers than females. -- The primary reasons given by students in this study for attrition in LFI were concern with academic achievement and a perception that the program was too challenging. A significant relationship was identified between attrition in LFI and the variables gender, time of year and grade level of attrition, age, and number of years since students dropped out.

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