This report finds that, when compared internationally, England achieves a high rate of student retention. However the variation between retention rates of different institutions and the worsening of some institution's continuation rates shows that there is scope for further improvement. This will be increasingly important as access to further education is broadened, bringing in students who are likely to need more support. Amongst the recommendations are: the monitoring of retention at student, faculty and course level; the use of early-leaver surveys when problems are identified; more positive student support that emphasises ways to improve grades; identification of students eligible for Disabled Students' Allowances; the adoption of good practice from other institutions.

The controversial career of marathon runner Dick Beardsley is featured in this look inside the head of a distance runner as it describes his difficult life, what life is like as a celebrated athlete, and many struggles to overcome obtacles ranging from an

Around 28,000 full-time and 87,000 part-time students who started first-degree courses in 2004-05 were no longer in higher education a year later. There has been little improvement in student retention since 2001-02, though participation in higher education has increased from around 40 per cent to nearly 43 per cent of 18-30 year olds. Universities have received around £800 million over the last five years to help improve retention and participation. In 2001-02 the Committee concluded (HC 588, ISBN 9780215005496) that there was a need for improvement in several areas: reducing the wide variation in retention rates; funding to support students from low-income backgrounds; tackling skills gaps; supporting disabled students; better information. The Committee's findings in this report include: there has been no reduction in the variation in retention rates; by widening participation in higher education, higher education institutions need to understand the needs of their changing student populations through the use of market research techniques; the Higher Education Funding Council for England should agree clear expectations for planned improvements in retention of students and make it part of any improvement plans; that only about half of part-time students obtain a qualification within six years and there is no specific framework to encourage improvement; that some students feel that academic and pastoral support is limited and does not meet their needs; information on why students withdraw from their courses is not reliable; substantial variations exist between universities in the proportions of students with disabilities that receive the Disabled Student's Allowances.

Staying the Course is about a college that many describe as being the way colleges used to be: beautiful, well-maintained buildings and grounds; caring, capable faculty; administrators who manage frugally and compassionately; a bright, energetic president willing to dedicate his life to assuring a solid future for the institution; and students who study hard and work hard to serve those in need. Still the college struggles to maintain what it has built and to increase its endowment, small by comparison to many private institutions, at the same time it continues to hold tuition low and provide funding to students who, even with Pell grants, need extra help to go to and stay in college. How the college is managing to build a sustainable financial base is described in chapters focusing on the kinds of students who attend, the faculty who teach, the administrators who oversee the multiple programs that support the students as well as design new courses and new ways of teaching, the trustees who guide the college, and the president who has stayed long enough to see many of his dreams for the college realized, to shape new dreams and to raise the funding that makes those dreams realities. The college still struggles in many ways but its struggles are far less than they would be without the lessons the institution has learned and is offering to other small, private colleges facing similar difficult circumstances. With the many stories about the sad state of higher education today, this book contradicts those stories with its description of how merging the values of the past with the information and strategies available today can enable a small college in a region of poverty and with a population of students with limited financial resources to rise above those threats and limitations to become a model for the future of such institutions.

A journey through the Index Revolution from the man who started it all Stay the Course is the story the Vanguard Group as told by its founder, legendary investor John C. Bogle. This engrossing book traces the history of Vanguard—the largest mutual fund organization on earth. Offering the world’s first index mutual fund in 1976, John Bogle led Vanguard from a $1.4 billion firm with a staff of 28 to a global company of 16,000 employees and with more than $5 trillion in assets under management. An engaging blend of company history, investment perspective, and personal memoir, this book provides a fascinating look into the mind of an extraordinary man and the company he created. John Bogle continues to be an inspiring and trusted figure to millions of individual investors the world over. His creative innovation, personal integrity, and stubborn determination infuse every aspect of the company he founded. This accessible and engaging book will help you: Explore the history of some of Vanguard’s most important mutual funds, including First Index Investment Trust, Wellington Fund, and Windsor Fund Understand how the Vanguard Group gave rise to the Index Revolution and transformed the lives of millions of individual investors Gain insight on John Bogle’s views on values such as perseverance, caring, commitment, integrity, and fairness Investigate a wide range of investing topics through the lens of one of the most prominent figures in the history of modern finance The Vanguard Group and John Bogle are inextricably linked—it would be impossible to tell one story without the other. Stay the Course: The Story of Vanguard and the Index Revolution weaves these stories together taking you on a journey through the history of one revolutionary company and one remarkable man. Investors, wealth managers, financial advisors, business leaders, and those who enjoy a good story, will find this book as informative and unique as its author.

Over 100,000 sold! Reform the way small groups make disciples. This companion training manual to Real-Life Discipleship provides unique guidance and insight to pastors, church leaders, and their disciples as they work to create an effective discipleship program. With a thorough, results-oriented process that can be applied in other contexts and cultures, this manual explains the necessary components of disciple-making so that every church member can play a part in reaching others for Christ. A great leader’s resource, it shows you how to cultivate new leaders for the future and equip them to make disciples. This manual includes these teaching tools: Activities and questions that teach an effective, Christlike approach to discipleship Training on how to identify, recruit, and develop gifted leaders from within your church fellowship An explanation of the role of personal relationships in making disciples Part of following Jesus is reaching out to others and sharing what we believe. Develop the heart of a disciple-maker in the members of your small group and help them follow God’s call to go and make disciples.