A PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT OF REDUCING STUDENTS’ DROPOUT INTENTION AT PRIVATE UNIVERSITIES IN CHANGSHA OF HUNAN PROVINCE, CHINA

This study aimed to develop a program for students at private universities in the Hunan province of China. The program was developed to reduce students’ dropout intentions. A mixed-methods approach was used for the study. Three hundred eighty-one students participated in the study. A statistical analysis was carried out to obtain the mean and standard deviation. Multiple regression analysis was utilized to find significant variables. The qualitative method was used to develop a program. The overall dropout intention at private universities in Hunan province was 3.71, which still had room to reduce students’ dropout intention. The program was developed based on students’ institutional integration and effective dropout activities. The program contained five significant items from the data analysis results: academic challenge (ß=.261, P=.000); academic support (ß=.195, P=.000); peer mentoring and tutoring (ß=.197, P=.000); diversity experiences (ß=.132, P=.019); and social support (ß=.109, P=.032). This program was applied to 66 students at Hunan International Economics University. The t-test results showed: t (69) = -18.32, p =.000 <.05 significance level, which supported a significant difference between before and after attending the program.