RETENTION AND DROPOUT ON PUBLIC HIGHER EDUCATION: A CASE REPORT OF A DENTISTRY-EVENING COURSE

ABSTRACT:

This paper analyzes the academic situation and the meaning of retention/dropout experiences from a student/professor perspective at a Dentistry-evening course created by REUNI at a Federal University in South of Brazil. This case study is qualitative in essence and was performed based on documental analysis of academic status of students between 2010 to 2014 and by structured interviews with students and teachers (n=24). The survey has involved 121 students and has indicated 49 students were on retention and 24 dropped out the course. Five categories have emerged from interviews: the arrival and adaptation to higher education; the imbalance between job vs school; the experiences of students at classroom; evaluation of the learning process; and the role of the Institution in the permanence of students in the Dentistry-evening course. Actions including the opinion of managers, of teachers and students are essential in order to achieve the academic success and the maintenance of students until the accomplishment of the course.

Keywords:
Higher education; Dental education; Student dropout; Public policies