Policy of Academic Probation Academic

Policy of Academic Probation

Academic probation is a policy that allows students one more chance to regain their failing grades. In other words, students with a GPA of lower than 2.0 are put on a trial period where they are given a chance to improve their academic standing. If they fail to regain their lost grades with the help of extra credit hours, they may face termination. This policy sounds fair enough since students get a warning before they are asked to leave. But how do scholars and students feel about this and do they agree with all the clauses? Well that is what we need to find out.

Interestingly academic probation is not always suffered by students who are consistently failing their courses. Some very high ability students may have to undergo this because of some courses they find tricky or fail to grasp completely. This is a puzzle which is difficult to understand. Some good achievers will become non-performers in some courses and hence their total grades can range from a to F. these students may be put on probation though it is clear that they are otherwise very good students.

It has also been noticed that academic probation program is not always a good program even if it is fair enough. This is because it has been noticed that only a certain percentage of these students can then make it to the second semester successfully.

Ryan and Glenn (2004) give figures: "In the context of academic success and persistence, the best early warning measure is first-semester academic status. Students completing their first semester with a GPA of 2.00 or better tend to remain in good academic standing; historically, 71% of these academically successful students return the following fall for their sophomore year. Students completing their first semester with a GPA of less than 2.00 are placed on academic probation and are subject to academic dismissal if their second-semester GPA is no better; historically, only 32% of these academically unsuccessful students return for a second year."

But that is not to say that all students who are on probation are actually put their unfairly. In fact many of these students are actually those who show lack of interest in studies. Robert Nelson for example gives the example of two students, one on probation and the other on the dean's list. He notices that the two students' interest level was markedly different and both showed different attitudes towards studies. According to him, "

Luke, the student placed on academic probation, readily admits that he "probably won't go to class" if he "hasn't finished a paper on time" because he can "hand it in to the professor by the end of the day." His nonchalance suggests not only that he is often late with assignments, but also that he does not think classroom presence is important. Conversely, Alexandra, whose name is on the Dean's list, is enthusiastic about attending class. Just by being present in the classroom, Alexandra is more engaged with her course material than is Luke. She hears the information delivered from the instructor, she is attentive in class, and she is comfortable engaging in dialogue with the instructor. Thus, Alexandra already has the academic edge on Luke: she shows up for class." (Nelson, 1998)

The controversy

So why this school policy should be discussed if it appears to be fair? The answer lies in the research we conducted on the subject. According to some studies, academic probation is not exactly a successful strategy because it discourages students from returning to school after one year suspension or the fear of termination hanging on their heads. In a very recent research Lindo et al. (2008) conclude that "being placed on academic probation significantly discourages students from returning to school after their first year of university study. Surprisingly, it is the highest ability individuals who are discouraged most. The effect on students with high school grades above the median of entering students is so large that, as a group, they are less likely to return than students of lower ability."