Breadcrumb Trail
Session C: Executive Function & College Attrition
- Date and Time
- Tuesday, April 22, 8:45 AM to 10:15 AM
- Presenters
-
- Ben Mitchell (Assistant Professor & Director of Admissions; Landmark College)
- Description
According to the Department of Education, only 54% of the students who go to College finish their degree within six years. For students with diagnosed learning difficulties it falls as low as 40%. This lecture looks at the issue of executive functioning as it relates to attrition in higher education. This presentation will highlight the work of Thomas Brown and Russell Barkley who question the notion of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in favor of an emphasis on difficulties with executive function. This presentation will define executive function and highlight specific challenges faced by students as they make the transition to higher education. The presentation will feature a 2007 joint survey by Landmark College and the Association of Higher Education and Disability tracking the experience of disabled students in higher education. Session participants should leave with a greater understanding of the significant barriers in higher education for students with executive functioning difficulties. Participants will get a clearer idea of the landscape of higher education support services, what is available, and the challenges that face students in their move from high school to college.