Retention
I seems as though a lot of students have so many issues with staying in school. I see more students dealing with financial problems or they just become disenchanted with a program.
I agree, Daniel, that "mothering" is not an instructor's role, but an occasional nudge can be a very powerful positive force in a student's development. Ultimately, they are responsible for their decisions, but sometimes they have to be reminded of the consequences of their action/inaction.
Occasionally I'm tempted to almost "mother" a disenchanted student back on track, but the bottom line is the fact that this is an ADULT education facility and I as an instructor cannot want this education for an individual more than the individual themself. At some point the student needs to realize his/her goals and make decisions accordingly.
I think students will laways struggle with money issues. The real challenge is making the education worth the struggle.
What's the reason for the disorganization and why do you feel your corporate leaders are micromanaging? If you placed a requisition for specific food, don't you already have an associated lesson plan?
I am also facing a lot of issues with our new program at our school, that our corporate leaders are trying to micromanage and are doing a very poor job. I am ashame teaching my curent class beacause I don not even have a lesson plan to give to my students, and have to figure out on a daily basis what I will teach each day, depending on what ever recipe will come up on my food requisition. Our students are not stupid and this is a major probleme for retention, when your costumers don't get what they were told...
No question college can be [should be?] challenging and that many entering students underestimate just how challenging it will be. Hopefully, the admissions process helps them understand the rigors ahead. How does your school prepare students for these challenges?
Struggling or the "starving college student" is not a new issues. Please have been struggling in college for decades. I think that people under estimate and under prepare for what it means to attend college. Particularly working adults.
Having false expectations and ideals may be one contributor to the whole disenchantment problem.
