title: Identifying the necessary and sufficient number of risk factors for predicting academic failure.
abstract: Identifying the point at which individuals become at risk for academic failure (grade point average [GPA] < 2.0) involves an understanding of which and how many factors contribute to poor outcomes. School-related factors appear to be among the many factors that significantly impact academic success or failure. This study focused on 12 school-related factors. Using a thorough 5-step process, we identified which unique risk factors place one at risk for academic failure. Academic engagement, academic expectations, academic self-efficacy, homework completion, school relevance, school safety, teacher relationships (positive relationship), grade retention, school mobility, and school misbehaviors (negative relationship) were uniquely related to GPA even after controlling for all relevant covariates. Next, a receiver operating characteristic curve was used to determine a cutoff point for determining how many risk factors predict academic failure (GPA < 2.0). Results yielded a cutoff point of 2 risk factors for predicting academic failure, which provides a way for early identification of individuals who are at risk. Further implications of these findings are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Child and Family Studies, Louis de Parte Florida Mental Health Institute, and Harrell Center, Department of Community and Family Health, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA. rlucio@usf.edu
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lucio
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hunt
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bornovalova
mesh_terms: D000124:Achievement; D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D019540:Area Under Curve; D004521:Educational Measurement / Q000379:methods; D004777:Environment; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007859:Learning Disabilities / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*; D016014:Linear Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012372:ROC Curve; D012016:Reference Values; D012307:Risk Factors; D012570:School Admission Criteria; D012574:Schools