A framework to assess the impact of matriculation requirements on academic performance

Purpose Matriculation requirements ensure students possess the minimum competency required to pursue a program. However, academic departments struggle to continuously evaluate and adjust these requirements in a dynamic environment where student contexts change due to curriculum updates and e-learning access. This paper presents a framework to quantify and compare the impact of individual requirements on academic performance, assisting educators in deciding which matriculation requirements should be updated. Design/methodology/approach The framework exploits a recent novel regression algorithm to quantify the level of personalization each requirement has on grade prediction. This algorithm counters the challenges of standardized exam scores by using information from all data points for each inference. The methodology was demonstrated by investigating the effect of secondary school subject passes on predicting final course grades and GPAs within a computing department. Findings Applying the framework allows educators to systematically evaluate the utility of each matriculation requirement. Regular analysis using personalization scores enables institutions to proactively detect and adapt to new developments within the core matriculating demographic. In our demonstration, we investigated how passes in various secondary school subjects impact the prediction of final course grades and GPAs within a computing department, highlighting the framework's practical value. Research limitations/implications The demonstration of the framework was specifically applied to a computing department and focused on secondary school subject passes. While it addresses the challenges of standardized exam scores, the study implies that regular analysis is necessary to continuously adjust to developments among the core matriculating demographic. Practical implications Regularly performing this analysis empowers institutions to proactively detect and adjust to developments among the core matriculating demographic. This approach maximizes student and faculty readiness and overall success by allowing educators to use personalization scores to evaluate and update the utility of specific requirements. Social implications The proposed approach enables institutions to adjust to changing educational contexts, such as shifts in curriculum and access to e-learning technologies. By ensuring requirements accurately reflect necessary competencies, the framework supports student success within an evolving demographic and dynamic education environment. Originality/value This approach offers a proactive and data-driven method for academic departments to assess and revise matriculation requirements. By quantifying the personalized impact of each requirement, our framework maximizes student and faculty readiness and overall success, providing a novel mechanism for maintaining alignment between entry requirements and the evolving educational landscape.