We do the same reporting. And we have a quick standup meeting at the 1st break to report any absences. Therefore the Dean can have an idea about who is absent/tardy and can even contact the student while I am in class to encourage their attendance.
We have reports that we run that identify At Risk students and Last Day of Attendance. We then collaborate as a team to make sure that this students are contacted and we connect with them to see how we can help.
Our campus is certainly aware of and actively working demonstrating committment to the students.
My institution shows committment to the students in many ways. One of the ways that stands out is the warmth and friendliness that is shown by all staff. I have witnessed encounters between many different staff members and students in the hallways and I am proud about the way the staff interacts with the students. The impression is one of warmth and caring and availability for the students.
Every single day that a student misses, they receive a call from me. If they get to 2 absences, I write up a student advising form and talk with the student. I will also do that on each following absence that they may have. I e-mail my students if I can't reach them by telephone. Every week, I also do a weekly report that I give to my program director indicating any students that have been absent and what I discussed with that particular student.
We have Student Recognition Days where students are acknowledged for success and food snacks are given
Our school offers tutoring. If a student is feeling the need for tutoring it is usually their responsibility to contact the instructor. Now, most students do not do that. What we do in our department is contact the students who are struggling and offer tutoring. We also offer group tutoring sessions for anyone to come.
Zena, what results do you get from these activities? Is there a practice that seems to be particularly effective in changing student behavior?
Tyler, does anyone compile this data to look for trends? If so, what actions are being taken to improve the situation?
From the first day we do daily reports about every class. I report absences, grades if the student is communicating etc. Then we call, email and if we cannot get outreach we contact the retention team. Then we all work together to try and assist the student.
One step that faculty in my program have taken is to increase our communication with the students. So whether they are tardy or absent we are reaching out them to first make sure they are okay and second to find out why. The provides the faculty feedback on what is happening in the student's lives which may be impacting the student's attendance and academic performance, but shows a sense of caring.
We have student appreciation day, student lunch and learn, and monthly student get togethers.
Alina, how is information about these alternatives communicated to the students? Do they take advantage of these alternatives?
Mary, who has this responsibility and who monitors compliance?
Sharon, is the 80% target part of their performance evaluation? What's the school average?
Many students have transportation issues that affect their attendance. At my institution this topic is addressed by making available alternate modes of getting to and from school to students that need it.
We contact each student either by phone or email when they are absent. Keeping the lines of communication open. Addressing problems as they arise to help maintain the students commitment to the program.
We track student attendance throughout the term, especially the first two weeks of class. If a student misses the first session, they will be contacted by the instructor, who will advise what they missed in class, and also by an academic advisor. Consecutive days absence, and Last Day of Attendance (LDA) are also monitored, and we stress to students the importance of attending class to be academically successful. Instructors have a target of 80% average daily attendance for their classes, which encourages them to get involved in encouraging students to come to class.
Reynaldo, many schools seem to follow this practice as well. In your experience, has it been beneficial?
Sounds like a great culture, Yaima. Keep up the good work.
Where I work If the student does not come to class we call the student to make ourselves available for the student in case they need help. The results of the phone coversation (or even if the student was not reached) are entered in the school computer system so other school personel with appropriate access can see the results of the conversation and follow up if necessary
