Nadezhda,
Thanks for this post. A lot of research indicates time with faculty out of the classroom is influential in persistence decisions.
Jeffrey Schillinger
I agree that getting to know your students, asking them about their progress in other academic areas, and checking how they are resolving some of their issues help student retention. It is important to let them know you do care whether they are making progress in your course or not. Personally, I prefer to schedule appointments during my office hours to be able to discuss in greater detail the areas the student needs to work at. Moreover, I provide some guidelines on what needs to be done to improve the student's current grade. Balancing, school, work, and life is not an easy task and it is our goal to help the students to plan their time as well as to deal with stress and anxiety.
I am an extern instructor. So I am not typically in the classroom, although I do occasional tutoring. While in the lab tutoring, I circulate, and check to see if students are doing OK or having any difficulty. I encourage questions, and am always there to help. As far as externship, I am always available via phone, text or emails for my students. If they are having any problems at the site, I intervene by mentoring them. If they are having personal problems I listen, and then I direct them as needed to out students services department who are better able to guide them.
Susan,
It sounds like you are really paying attention to your students. What are some things you do in the classroom while the students are present to "pay attention?"
Jeffrey Schillinger
Any absences are looked into immediately. First by the instructor. Then by our Student Services department. They also help students with all types of issues, such as transportation, child care and even housing.
Dennis,
What are some of the advisors' specific duties?
Jeffrey Schillinger
Everyday before the class starts the students line up outside the classroom for uniform inspection. During that one on one time with the instructor, the instructor will ask them questions about their life outside of school, if they've been anywhere exciting, or something else that shows the students that they care about them as people, not just as students.
We have faculty advisors for each student, who are available for student concerns both within, and outside the classroom.
we make our students feel safe to share any kinds of issues or personal barriers that can hinder them being at school. We provide a safe place for them to come to learn and be respected. I am the clinical coord. for our program and I spend extra time with my students going out on extern to get to know them better and learn of any obstacle that could be in their way so they can be successful while finishing up on exctern.
Danielle,
Calling missing students is an age-old practice that still works. Some schools have added texting and emailing assignments as a supplement to the calls.
Jeffrey Schillinger
Thanks Carey! Those that close the door have less success with stuents.
Jeffrey Schillinger
For students who are absent, we have asked our instructors to call them to see if everything is ok, as well as keep them informed about what was covered in that day's class. I believe this helps show the students that we care about them and their success.
I am a program director and the majority of my time is spent doing administrative work. However I do make time throughout my day to be "seen". I will hang-out in the student lounge area or walk the campus. My students also know that I am always available if my office door is open. I hold town hall meetings and dismiss the students by name. Attention=Retention really does work!
Karyn,
This is a great example of "attention equals retention" that your peers should emulate.
Jeffrey Schillinger
We have just implemented a program called won one for perfect attendance. Students get a pin for each week of attendance and at the end of 6 weeks they exchange the pins for a gift certificate to our restaurant. I call mine daily when they aren't here and let them know what we are doing the next class. I can also then make sure their number are correct in the portal. we also have a 3 day spreadsheet that lets management know that they have missed days and who the instructor is and have those students been called.
Our school does several things. Instructors are in the classroom 15 min. early to great each student when they come in. We hand out certificates on attendance and Deans list. We have pizza day as well as student appreciation days. On the student appreciation day they can dress down and we have an ice cream social in the student lounge.
Karis,
This describes what a career college should be. Thanks for sharing this.
Jeffrey Schillinger
The employees at our college are treated very well. In other words, we are receiving attention ourselves. A warm and attentive culture has been fostered here and I think this is the primary reason why it has been so easy to extend the same treatment to our students. Yes, we award our students for good behavior and academic excellence but, more importantly, the employees offer a certain warmth and constant concern for our students beyond what is expected. Because the employees are treated like family here in the building, our students become an extension of that family. So, to answer the question as to how our school unequivocally demonstrates that we are paying attention to our students is #1)In our faculty lunchroom, we eat together at a long family-style table (most of the time we are laughing)and #2)When you peak into our classrooms we then are displaying warm, engaged behavior such as smiling, asking how the students' weekends were, responding to signs of stress with concern, cheering them on, etc.
We have positive and negative merits at our school, for perfect attendance we have certificates and when you pass your national board exam we have merit pins that says "licensed massage therapist". If you miss class or get close to going over 25% there is advisory forms and let you know you are getting close. Advisory forms are used for attendance and unsatisfactory grades.
Sincerely asking them about their family, their day, the courses they're taking. And then, attentively, listen to them.
