Dimensionality and reliability of a screening instrument for students at-risk of dropping out from Higher Education

Dropout stems from a complex, gradual process of decision-making in which the demands and benefits of university attendance are weighed. Early identification of at-risk students benefits from quick and large-scale screening instruments. This study presents the dimensionality of a screening instrument for students at risk of dropping out of Higher Education, integrating three scales: Academic Exhaustion, Satisfaction with Education and Dropout Intention. A sample of 611 first-year university students was considered in the statistical analysis. The results demonstrate evidence of internal and external validity as well as the reliability of the screening instrument scores. The differences in correlation coefficients between these three scales and the students' intentions of completing the course and completing their education at their university, evaluated at two different points during the first semester, suggest that dropout analysis requires collecting information throughout the process of adjustment to higher education.

Automated summary

The study highlights the complexity of dropout, emphasizing the importance of early identification and large-scale screening of at-risk students. The screening instrument integrates three dimensions: Academic Exhaustion, Satisfaction with Education, and Dropout Intention, with evidence of internal and external validity and reliability. Differences in correlation coefficients between the scales suggest that collecting information throughout the adjustment to higher education process is crucial for dropout analysis.