Michael , how realistic are the students' vision statements, particularly the first version? Do you find that they become more specific and realistic as they progress through the program?
At a previous institution, my department conducted - at least twice per year - a 'town forum' where students could come and ask any question they wanted or talk about any issues they wanted, and faculty and administrators were on hand to provide some answers, and if questions couldn't be instantly answered then the students were promised follow up.
We have an excellent student service body that helps with counseling, transportation, living accomodations, food pantry and keeps them posted of accedemic success or problems.
Instructors use advisements to warn students of tardies, overall time, professionalism issues, grade problems and disturbances.
We demonstrate school commitment in our Orientation before the first day of class. We have Instructors present to answer any questions. Students are given class schedules, told what book and supplies will be need on day one, contact numbers for student to call in, tour of the classrooms, each dept is present (Admissions hands off the student to Education). Career Service speaks about licensure, business ideas, creating resumes, Business website and etc.
When student are absent at our campus they call in. If we don’t hear from them in the first 15 min. we contact the student.
We tell them we miss them in class and what assignment they have missed.
We work as a Team to keep our students committed to their success.
All of our students must write a "Vision". This vision is a description of what they see their future in this career field is. At several points throughout the program, their vision is re-visited - because a person's vision changes throughout their life. When students have problems, no matter who they talk to, their vision should be a huge part of that discussion. You came here for a reason, we are here to help you acheive that vision is the message we try to send to them.
At our New Student Orientation, we inform them that we are here to assist them in anyway we can. Our priority is that they succeed in their career goals. We understand their personal lives, may interfere with their commitment to their education. So we are commited to make sure they attend everyday. So if we see that they are not in class, We contact them, and tell them: " We did not see you in class today, is their anything we can do to assist you?" Most of the time, the student already has good communication with the instructor, so they are aware of their student's challenges. But when the Instructor has not seen the student, for more than two consecutive days. I, Student's Services, contact them. Sometimes they are surprised we are so concern of their abscences. It could be a bad cold, or personal problems. This gives us the opportunity to give them our support, and at times other options instead of falling behind in their studies, or even worse withdrawing.
That's a heart warming story, Jennifer. I hope some of the cynical types who believe students will only take and not give in return read your posting.
Our hardship fund was created by the Director of Student Services and is administered by our department. It was created in the name and memory of a most generous student who passed away suddenly in the midst of our program several years ago and is referred to as the Larry Fund as a result. Money is collected from fees we get from students for making copies, renting small supplies, and donations. Students generally do not ask for the money, Student Services representatives work with students in need and offer the money assistance when necessary to help a student successfully continue in the program. There is no expectation of a payback. This is a gift and not a loan. Our very first recipient was given $75.00 and once he was back on his feet he donated $150.00 back to pay it forward.
MOHAMMED ARIF, what's a regular LDA meeting and how often do they occur? Are written action assignments made and if so, are they reviewed at a subsequent meeting?
Jennifer, who administers the hardship fund? How often do students request emergency cash? Any expectation of re-payment?
Lise, sounds like a lot of time and human resources and invested in students who miss class. Is there a point of diminishing returns? How successful has this approach been to getting students back in class?
On the first day of class, the instructors outline for the students what is expected of them and ask what do they expect of the instructor. If a student misses class, the instructor calls, emails, or texts the student to find out if there is a problem or a concern that they can help with. If a student is unreachable, we try again later. If a student misses more time from class, several people begin to track the student down to find out what is going on. Not only the instructor, but the Program Director, the Director of Student Success, the Director of Education, we all try to find the student and get them to speak with us to find out what is going on to help them get back on track. We even get on the social media, like Facebook or Twitter, to see if we can reach them through that medium.
We reach out to students who are absent on the same day they miss class and again until they return. We offer free instructor tutoring. Student Services works with the faculty to offer resources for academic and attendance based on a student's need. Resources are also available for outside life situations. We have created a hardship fund of emergency cash for students in a pinch.
There are amny things as a schoo we make sure to retain students.
School commitment is utmost important.
We have a holine numn=ber for th students to call in case they cannot make it or have issues comming to school.
There is a regular LDA meeting to go over the student who ar on verge of dropping and to contact them and make sure that they come back to school.
Any student wishing to quit is spoken to at lenght to understand the reason to quit and make sure that any help or options if can be offered are offered.
We makes phone calls to students that do not attend the first day of a new class or term. We also track students throughout the term and their program to take a pulse on on they are doing. We tend to be their best cheerleaders!
Racheal, have you developed a way to monitor effectiveness of these activities? Have you seen improved persistence and grades? Do you ask for confirmation that the student has received the emails you are sending?
The student support specialists are constantly supporting the students. We are here for the students. We encourage, help and motivate the students. We create weekly newsletters with helpful information. Sometimes we discuss time management, coping with stress, resume buliding and more. Each support specialist sends emails with advice and encouraging words in reference to attendance or missing assignments. Some of us send reminders to help get that motivation back. The school is also involved in social networking and updates the school website with success stories.
Victoria, has this practice improved attendance rates and/or student performance?
The Registrar's office runs reports daily to identify students who are not in class. If a student is absent for more than 2 days, the registrar calls and sends an email to the student. We also encourage the instructors to call students if they do not show up to class.
At our school we have student appreciation days throughout the year. We also recognize students formally for things like perfect attendance and acedemic excellence every quarter. We also partner with our students for different local charity events. We also have our faculty take on the responsibility of contacting a student on each absence so we may be able to deter any additional absences and find out why the student was absent and document such conversations.
