Seneca International Student Services

Identifying International College Students at Risk of

Academic Failure

Outline of the Presentation

1. Historical Background

2. Challenges Faced by International Students

3. Identifying Students at Risk of Academic Failure

4. Discussion

Demographic Weight of the 18- to 24-Year-Old Population in Canada

Demographic Weight of the 18- to 24-Year-Old Population in Canada

2006 2011 2016 2021 20262,850,000

2,900,000

2,950,000

3,000,000

3,050,000

3,100,000

3,150,000

3,200,000

3,250,000

2006 Population

Source: Statistics Canada, 2005b.

Full-Time Students Enrolled at Ontario CAATs

Year Number of Students

2004 159,052

2005 154,885

2006 155,968

2007 164,604

2008 174,832

2009 194,567

2010 195,348

2011 185,049

2012 197,433

2013 201,536Source: Colleges Ontario

International Full-Time StudentsEnrolled at Ontario CAATs

Year Number of Students

2004 6,193

2005 6,172

2006 6,722

2007 6,958

2008 8,025

2009 9,861

2010 14,576

2011 17,889

2012 20,371

2013 23,273

Source: Colleges Ontario

Percentage of International Studentsat 24 Ontario CAATs

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 20130

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

International Students

Difficulties that CAATs May Face

1. If the current rates of increase in international students and decrease in domestic students persist, in 10 years half of all students at Ontario colleges will be international

2. HE institutions may not be adequately prepared to deal with the increase in such students on their campuses

3. Research shows that HE institutions where international students constitute more than 25% of the student population are likely to experience challenges

Graduation Rates for Ontario CAATs 1998-2012 ( KPI)

Source: Colleges Ontario

Challenges Faced by International College Students

1. Mastering English

2. Adjusting to the Canadian classroom

3. Learning the rules of academic honesty

4. Coping with financial problems

5. Asking for help

As a result of these factors, international students often underperform academically and consequently withdraw from college.

What Can Be Done To Help International Students Succeed?

1. Importance of the first semester - A large percentage of students who fail their first semester drop out

2. Starfish early alert system

3. Identification of students at risk of academic failure before they start their programs

Student Characteristics1. Age Students aged 20 to 22 are most likely to fail

2. Gender Female students are more likely to succeed

3. High school GPA Strong correlation between HSGPA and academic success

4. Type of program Certificate, diploma, degree, graduate certificate

5. Country of origin6. Use of an agent

Question for Discussion

The first step is to identify international students who are likely to experience academic difficulties.

What approach should be takento help such students?