Author(s): Larry R. Dale, Jerry Crawford
As professional college educators we are constantly concerned about the factors that influence student performance in the classroom. Utilizing a standard regression analysis and a loglinear model, we examined the role of six factors including: sex, days absent during the semester, number of hours completed, age and hours taken in economics. The study was first conducted in 1991 and repeated again in 1998. The significant factors were sex, with males outperforming females in economics and number of days absent. There was one important exception that was both alarming and challenging and that is the fact that students receiving a grade of C or less are missing significantly more class than in 1991. The importance of attendance seems to be lost on many students as the number of absences continues to climb. We need to encourage regular attendance since we know that is reflected in final grades and overall performance.