Student Dropout and Academic Management: Critical Factors for Institutional Effectiveness in Universities

Abstract

The study examines the association between academic management and student dropout rates at a university in Lima, Peru, aiming to identify critical factors to enhance institutional effectiveness. It is grounded in key concepts such as curriculum planning, teaching-learning processes, comprehensive student support, and institutional resources, contextualized with previous research highlighting the importance of social and academic integration in reducing student attrition. A quantitative, non-experimental, correlational approach was utilized with a sample of 270 students, collecting data through Likert-scale-based questionnaires and analyzed using Spearman correlation and regression techniques. The results revealed a significant positive correlation (Rho=0.577, p<0.001) between effective academic management and lower dropout rates, indicating that curriculum planning, comprehensive support, and support resources are determinant factors. The discussion links these findings with previous studies and emphasizes the need to consider socioeconomic and emotional factors. The research provides practical guidelines for implementing university policies aimed at optimizing academic management and promoting student retention.