Tracking Students to Identify 'At Risk' Attitudes and Appropriate Engagement Practices

University funding, together with increasing competition and attrition rates have become issues of primary concern. Consequently, the identification of students “at risk” and the implementation of strategies to enhance student learning experiences as a means of reducing attrition rates has gained greater relevance for teachers, administrators and students. The aim of this study was to identify factors that may contribute to placing “students at risk” and to identify strategies to minimise the impact of risk factors with the view to improving student retention. The study investigates “students at risk” from the subject level perspective and how more engaging teaching practices may prevent non-completion of courses. The study identifies four components, namely, confident attitudes, at risk attitudes; student centred approaches and stressed attitudes, which may contribute to non-completion. Approaches that engage and build relationships with students early in the semester may assist in raising student confidence levels and reduce drop out risks.\ud \u