The Impact of Academic Probation: Do Intensive Interventions Help?

Aaron Albert and Nathan Wozny

Journal of Human Resources, 2024, vol. 59, issue 3, 852-878

Abstract: Academic probation policies place restrictions on low-performing college students, incentivizing them to improve their performance or leave the program. We examine the effect of an intensive academic probation policy that includes mandatory study time. Using a regression discontinuity analysis and administrative data from the U.S. Air Force Academy, we find that placement on academic probation increases performance without increasing attrition and increases completion of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) degrees. These impacts are surprising in light of research showing increased attrition and shifts towards easier course loads at other institutions, suggesting that more intensive interventions may help low-performing college students without discouraging program completion.

JEL-codes: I21 I23 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
Note: DOI: https://doi.org/10.3368/jhr.0520-10877R2
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Working Paper: The Impact of Academic Probation: Do Intensive Interventions Help? (2022)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:uwp:jhriss:v:59:y:2024:i:3:p:852-878

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