By: Dennis and Kathi Brown Posted at: 10/07/2012 07:44 AM
SIOUX FALLS, South Dakota (AP) - Fewer than three in four South Dakota college freshmen have been coming back for a second year in school.
South Dakota college officials say they're putting a renewed focus on student retention. But the Sioux Falls Argus Leader reports the 72 percent retention rate hasn't improved from a year ago.
The rate measures the number of students who go to college straight out of high school, and then come back for a second year. The national average is about 79 percent.
The director of South Dakota's Board of Regents says student retention is a high priority, but he cautions against expecting big improvements right away.
South Dakota State University has opened a center to advise first-year students and make them aware of services they can use.
