Academic Probation (Policy/Classification) and Student Engagement

• In Event: Challenges Related to Learning Outcomes

Abstract

Student engagement can be thought as the intersection between student behaviors and institutional conditions (Kuh et al., 2007). Focusing on what the institution does, academic probation is a policy intended to enable student engagement (Arcand, 2013; Duffy, 2010; Houle, 2013; Holland, 2005). However, academic probation is also a classification based on academic performance (Hsieh et al., 2007). This study explored students’ experiences when classified on academic probation. Narrative data was generated with twenty-three participants of a four-year college in the United States. Academic probation meant being a failure, embarrassment, stigma, and not belonging in the institution. Findings shed light on academic probation as a policy and classification in the sense of how it might be counterproductive in achieving student engagement.

Author

• Abraham Barouch-Gilbert, Instituto Tecnologico de Santo Domingo