The effectiveness of education reform - Applying the Rasch model to analyse computer science students' dropout

Abstract

The high dropout rates (generally 30-40%) in higher education is causing serious problems. Computer science education is particularly affected, with the first two semesters of undergraduate education being the most critical period in most countries. The institutes may lose 60% of their students. The aim of our study is to analyse how effective the educational reform was: how many students could we prevent from dropping out since 2016. A sample of academic performance of computer science students was analyzed between 2010 and 2017 using IRT model analysis. The study includes data from 3,673 university students. According to our results, after the educational reform, most subjects became more achievable and students with lower abilities also tried to take the exams. Mathematics-related subjects became achievable at a lower level of difficulty, and lower ability students also tried to take the exams, and did not see the attempt as a potential failure. Programming/professional subjects became more difficult, and they were differentiating students at a higher level than mathematic related subjects. Educational reform to support students' academic progress has made it possible to improve students' academic performance. We conclude that intervention programs are worthwhile to consider in order to retain students.