STRATEGIES TO IMPROVE STUDENT RETENTION IN HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS

Abstract

This article analyzed the strategies implemented to improve student retention in higher education institutions, with the main objective of identifying and evaluating the factors that influenced the continuity of studies. The theme addressed the complexity of the phenomena of dropout and retention, highlighting the challenges faced by universities to promote an inclusive educational environment conducive to academic development. The research adopted a bibliographic methodology, in which articles, books, theses, dissertations, conference proceedings and online publications were collected and analyzed, allowing the systematization of existing knowledge on the subject. Steps were followed that included the identification of the theme, the careful selection of sources through the CAPES Periodicals database, and the application of inclusion and exclusion criteria based on the relevance and timeliness of the publications. The collected data were analyzed qualitatively, which made it possible to integrate the findings and compare different studies and theoretical approaches. The results indicated that the implementation of active methodologies, support policies and improvements in infrastructure contributed significantly to the reduction of dropout rates and the strengthening of institutional links, and it was concluded that the combination of interconnected actions promoted the permanence of students, demonstrating the effectiveness of an integrated approach. These findings supported the discussion and helped in the formulation of practical proposals for the improvement of the educational scenario, providing a critical view of the practices adopted.