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This publication reports on an extensive study of student persistence and drop-out in further education (FE) colleges in the United Kingdom (UK). The study comprised a survey of students and staff in 31 FE colleges. Its main objective at the college level was to assist participating colleges in the analysis of their own situation in relation to student persistence and drop-out and to recommend strategies for making improvements. To achieve this objective, the research team examined local reasons for persistence and drop-out, the impact of any existing measures by the college to address this issue, college quality procedures and management information systems, and then recommended appropriate courses of action. At the general level, the study aimed to investigate the reasons for student completion and drop-out, the effectiveness of key college management mechanisms, and to make general recommendations for improving student retention rates. The major sections of this report are: general introduction and research context; statistical and survey data; qualitative evidence: student and staff views; conclusions and messages for colleges; information and quality systems; and, information and quality systems: conclusions. Show less