Julius, is there a point when there are too many ways to communicate and the message gets lost? How do you manage your message?
We do not keep attendance but we do gauge the level of turnout. Typically, the turnout is very good and students do voice their appreciation in person, through emails, or postings on our facebook website. It does appear to have a positive impact in creating a sense of community
at many levels within the school. We find ways of communicating with the students... via email, telephone, facebook or other sources just to keep in contact with them. Sometimes it becomes a little overwhelming to us and the student and monitoring there overall progress. this goes for the committed students as well as the one's who show lack of interest within a specific program.
Earl, do you track attendance at these events? What sort of turnout do you get? Do they create a positive buzz about the next quarter's event?
We have a Student Services Department at our school. Every quarter, we sponsor some type of student activity. Last week at have Students Appreciation Day (cookout). Students were served hot dags. hamburgers, drinks, etc. as a way of saying "thank you" for being a part ou this institution. We actually have quarterly activities in which students can invite family members to some of them. Every quarter, we also have an awards ceremony to acknowledge academic achievement and attendance.
Jon, has anyone tracked the effectiveness of these forms? What percentage of those issued have led to positive action?
Terry, who are the people involved in creating this excitement and how do you do it?
Our school has academic and attendance improvement forms that the student must sign.The student is advised by the instructor as to the problem and solutions to correct the issue. This includes tutoring options as well as access to our student resourse center, which helps students with daycare, rent,etc.
WE GET OUR STUDENTS EXCITED ABOUT THE COURSE FROM THE FIRST DAY.
Workshops took place according to the courses they were taking that week. Sometimes an introduction to the course , other times an advanced tutoring after the end of that subject.
What sort of workshops, Thomas? Are these course related and specifically for students only? Are they part of a course requirement or optional? If optional, how do you entice students to participate?
Interesting , how have you found the results? Our school has many differing paths , many students really don't know at the beginning exactly what they want to do. But overall , if that info is shared with us , we can try to guide them to the right path.
I agree , we need to look successful if the students are to think we are.
Good answer , financially the school is investing in us. That's a commitment to the students as well as us.
Our school frequently brings in professionals for workshops. Working Pro's who can give some insight into the commitment and dedication necessary to succeed. The students see the skills firsthand and participate in the workshop.
Rick, do you provide this information in an electronic format? Numbers they can download to a smart phone? Students have an uncanny knack for losing paper.
The institution where I instruct has an orientation class before they start the program that let's them know what to expect and what is expected of them. They get a list of phone numbers of people that can help them with any issues they have ranging from financial aid to daycare. From the first day we try to let the students know that we are here for them because without them we wouldn't have a job.
Garry, are these efforts yielding positive results? Has your retention rate improved as these practices have been introduced?
Isn't helping them prepare for their state board examinations a reasonable expectation for your students to have? Certainly, it's in the school's best interest to have a good success rate on these exams.
School Commitment is focused in many areas, Student retention grade monitoring, student success to name a few. We track students and offer assistance (tutors, study and skill labs) to support student outcomes.
