PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Albert, Aaron
AU  - Wozny, Nathan
TI  - The Impact of Academic Probation
AID  - 10.3368/jhr.0520-10877R2
DP  - 2024 May 01
TA  - Journal of Human Resources
PG  - 852--878
VI  - 59
IP  - 3
4099  - http://jhr.uwpress.org/content/59/3/852.short
4100  - http://jhr.uwpress.org/content/59/3/852.full
AB  - Academic probation policies place restrictions on low-performing college students, incentivizing them to improve their performance or leave the program. We examine the effect of an intensive academic probation policy that includes mandatory study time. Using a regression discontinuity analysis and administrative data from the U.S. Air Force Academy, we find that placement on academic probation increases performance without increasing attrition and increases completion of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) degrees. These impacts are surprising in light of research showing increased attrition and shifts towards easier course loads at other institutions, suggesting that more intensive interventions may help low-performing college students without discouraging program completion.