The effect of gender on attrition at the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center

Abstract

The Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center (DLIFLC) , located at the Presidio of Monterey, California, provides language training for Department of Defense military and civilian personnel. The Institute trains approximately 2,500 students annually, of which approximately 26 percent are female. Student attrition is a costly feature of this training program. Females experience roughly a 7 percent higher rate of attrition than males at DLIFLC. The Institute is interested in knowing whether this difference indicates a gender bias, or whether it can be explained by other factors. This study investigates this question. Specifically, data on FY-95 DLIFLC students are examined to determine factors with a significant impact on attrition, with particular emphasis on gender. Such information is potentially useful to the Institute for internal quality assurance efforts as well as part of potential cost saving measures.