COLLEGE PARK, Md. (AP) - Maryland's universities are starting to use data to find students at risk of dropping out.
The Baltimore Sun reports that University System of Maryland officials say predictive analytics will help them increase graduation rates by allowing educators to help struggling students before it is too late. Predictive analysis is the study of things like grades, financial aid information and demographics.
Some schools are already using predictive analysis.
Data crunched by University of Maryland University College officials showed students who enroll in a course at the last minute typically don't perform well. The school now prevents students from enrolling in a class in the four days before the first session.
Privacy advocates say they're concerned data could be misused and are urging schools to be transparent about the practice.
