It would seem that your patience has been rewarded by achieving a culture that values student success. Congratulations!
The program has taken almost 2 years to become part of our culture. I have led the initiative, and work with the other departments in a team effort to help students in any way we can.
Sounds like a well developed program, James. Certainly doesn't seem like something that 'just happens'. How long did it take to get this fully ingrained in the school's culture?
Who is the primary driver on the program? Are there similar programs for the other departments?
The utilization of advisement forms is one part of a structured process ensuring student success. We also track and monitor failures, and if they were advised of their academic progress, and given the necessary assistance to have a good chance of succeeding. We also monitor feedback gained from end of course surveys, and look for trends or hot spots of concern in our various courses. The advisements only take each instructor a small amount of administrative time to complete and review with the student. We have a dedicated student success manager in the education department that monitors, and participates in almost every facet of student success. There is cost in this position; however the payoff in student success easily offsets the cost.
Sounds like a well developed system, James, and it doesn't seem to carry much expense. Do you have any data about the impact on retention rates?
How often is it used? What percentage of your students receive this type of attention? Have had to add any personnel?
We use an advisement form system to provide early intervention at our campus. If a student is performing below average academically, struggling with issues hindering success, or has developed a poor attendance pattern the instructor fills out an advisement form and discusses the issue with the student.
If the issue is outside the scope of the student / instructor realm, the advisement is forwarded to the education office where a student success manager becomes involved. This involvement can include partnering with the student and instructor, or the student and other departments such as financial aid, or student services.
We have enjoyed great student success with this team approach to helping students find solutions to challenges that hinder their progress. Students really appreciate the caring, and we feel fulfilled in seeing them succeed!
That's certainly a creative way to get information in front of students - literally. Do you have to replace the notices very often? I would think that the notice would be a temptation for graffiti artists. Do you use this system for other messages?
Our mid-term exams are given on Fridays On the following Monday, the instructor meets one-on-one with each individual student to discuss where they stand in regards to their grade and their attendance percentage. At the same time, the Director of Education (me) sends a note to any student that is below 75% attendance for that class. The note states that if the student continues on their present path, the are in danger of receiving an attendance advisory for the mod. I also remind them that three attendance advisories result in their dismissal from school.
Any student that receives a grade of "C" or below gets a note attached to the progress card reminding them that tutoring is available. In addition to that, I have posted a flyer in every bathroom stall in the school announcing that tutoring is available. The flyer lists where and when tutoring is available.
You can ask any student in the school when tutoring is available and they will quote the flyer word for word. ha ha
These are good practices to keep the students engaged with their chosen careers. How often do you have field trips? What types of sites do you visit? Is there any expense for the students? Are the trips at the normally scheduled class meeting times? Do the students have to file a report afterward?
Through the utilization of quest speakers and field trips, we are continually reinforcing the benefits and rewards of the students' chosen career path. With this practice, we attempt to minimize or eliminate Academic Stagnation.
Yes. We encourage our senior student to bring their resumes and portfolios to these. Numerous job offers are made in these forums.
Do the employers do any interviewing when they are on campus? Do the students get any one-on-one time? It's incredible how quickly news travels if a student gets an interview or job offer.
One of our favorite activities are career days. During these days we bring in dozens of potential employers to our school to speak with our students, interview, and allow our students to see what awaits them on the outside. This really energizes students and helps them see what is waiting for them down the road.
Many schools put the responsibility of calling students on the faculty member. Do you know why your Dean handles the calls? Is it more effective?
The teachers get a list of their students everyday with the number of days they have missed. The teachers are to keep track of their students and report to the Dean of Education after the 2 absence and then the Dean will call the student. We have weekly faculty meetings and discuss any student that is in danger of dropping. We have work study programs to help students with financial issues. The director of the school also has an open door policy and goes on break with the students so they know he is available to talk if they need to.
Loren,
We had about 450 students, and you are correct that this was quite a load for the Director of Student Affairs to handle. Some of the department heads did help by calling their students in their programs and then talking with the DSA about the student. Sometimes a student would ask to be transferred to the department head's voice mail instead of the DSA. Most of the department heads worked closely with the DSA.
That like seems quite a load for one person, Paula. How many students did the DSA serve? Can you think of any other ways to accomplish the same thing?
At my former school, students were supposed to call the school if they were not going to be in class that day or if they were going to be late. When they called they were transferred to the Director of Student Affairs. If she was not available to speak with them, they left her voice mail. She would record the reason for their absence and it would be used to track attendance. If a student did not call in, the DSA would call that student. The DSA circulated among the student body daily talking to the students, asking them how things were going, and just generally getting to know them. She also was in close contact with the instructors asking how students were doing in class. This intervention seemed to help with retention.
Yes, this is something that is addressed in the college orientation all students are required to take in their very first term. As they go through their courses, other classes do re-visit this with them, as well.
Teri
I agree, Teri, it’s wonderful to see students develop strong relationship with classmates. Do you do any sort of communication style or temperament indicator assessments to help students understand different approaches to problem solving and communication?
