The determinants of university dropouts: a bivariate probability model with sample selection

In this paper, we study the determinants of university dropouts with a long itudinal data set on student enrolments at the Universite de Montreal. With a bivariate probit model with selectivity bias, the variables explaining p ersistence and dropouts are related to the information gathered on the stud ent about his or her interests and abilities. An environmental variable ass ociated with the number of students in first-year compulsory courses is als o a determining factor. These results are consistent with human capital and experimental models developed by economists, and psychosocioligical models pioneered by Tinto to explain dropout behavior. However, the different mod els offer different policy approaches to the problem of student attrition. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.