The Interaction of Faculty Status and Course Delivery Method on StudentRetention and Success in General Education Courses at a Community College

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine if there was a significant difference instudent success and student persistence to the end of general education courses taught byfull-time and adjunct faculty. The study also examined differences in student success andstudent persistence in face-to-face courses and online courses taught by full-time andadjunct faculty. Final course grades and student persistence data in the 2013-2014 and2014-2015 academic years from a Midwestern community college were analyzed.The study revealed significant findings related to final student grades. However,faculty status did not have a negative impact on student success. Results of the studyrevealed higher final course grades in courses taught by adjunct faculty. Studentpersistence was not negatively impacted by course delivery method, although studentsdid persist at a higher rate in courses taught online by full-time faculty.