Key Predictors of Student Academic Success: The Case of 2011 and 2013 Students

Abstract

The goal of this research was to identify the predictors of our students' success, which we believe are the factors to improve the internal quality assurance of our university. Determining the success predictors will enable us to determine the factors, which will help our students become successful. Thus, we have been implementing innovations in our curriculum, teaching methods and strategies as well as on-campus and off-campus activities. To assess student achievement in the target skills and contents, we have developed standardized tests for all students, such as the Japanese Language Test, General Language Test, Math Test, Achievement Confirmation Test, and University Benchmarks. This presentation shows which of these tests plus the data from the Course and Student Life Survey can predict student success. The data from the Course and Student Life Survey measured student satisfaction of their academics (academic factor), social relationship (social satisfaction), school facilities (environmental factor) and their own effort to study (learner factor) (St. Mary's College California, 2010). We hope that teachers, curriculum planners, administrators and researchers, not only in Japan but in other countries as well, will benefit from our research results.