UTA researcher uses mathematical modeling to predict student success, dropout rates
A researcher at The University of Texas at Arlington has used mathematical modeling to demonstrate that negative peer pressures can spread in a high-risk setting, influencing students’ decisions to drop out of school. “This study postulates that social behavior can spread interpersonally through social interactions and influences, just as infectious diseases can,” said Christopher Kribs, UTA professor of Mathematics and Curriculum & Instruction. Kribs is also an expert in mathematical epidemiology with research supported by the National Science Foundation. The study showed that