in todays economy retention is harder then ever becauce of the economic forces at work on the students.

What happens when admissions representatives, who earn their living through commission, put a student, who doesn't possess a basic skill set, into an institution that doesn't even require any pre-testing for aptitude and basic skills? It doesn't matter what the institution is in business training for - it could be cooking, computer networking, whatever. When it becomes apparent that the student isn't cut out for the trade that they "thought" they wanted to work in, the student wants to drop the program. At this point, mid to upper level managers look towards the instructor body and ask: "what happened"? I believe, as an instructor, we are the first line of defense for retention at our institutions, but my question is: "what happens when we have clay that either can't or refuses to become molded into what we want"? It becomes very frustrating when I see the number of students who were sold on dreams that were never meant to do what they were sold. It is a fact of life that just because you want to do something doesn't necessarily mean that you can do it. Without basic aptitude for a trade, it becomes increasingly difficult to try and train that particular individual. That being said, without the opportunity to try and train everyone who desires to be trained, we wouldn't have jobs for very long. It's the proverbial double edged sword.

we can feed into negativity or bad attitudes and some one who is already on the edge of cracking might just do that. but if we turn it around on them we can affect attitud which in turn may affect the mental state of the individual and the class as a whole.

Are there any studies on class size and retention numbers? I feel that concentrating on the weaker students in a 30 student class to keep numbers up causes others to feel left out. Would decreasing the class size have a positive effect on this? How do you "keep the balance"?

I like the idea of welcome packets. We give so much verbal info and the students don't seem to remember. The syllabus is helpful but other tips for doing well in class could be useful

I have had many conversations with students about this subject. our school runs 5 days a week for 51 weeks the only time off is at christmas, now add in work and family and there is not much time for personal time. In our case i think that having 1 week in the summer will re-charge their ambition and help with retention.Time off is needed , thats why we take vacations from work every year.

This particular module is excellent. It is truthful, concise and right.

The field I come from constantly grades us on customer retention/satisfaction......surveys for Customer Satisfaction Index a.k.a. CSI. I tell my students that the only way I could help customers was to approach their problem as though it were MY problem . This allowed me to detach myself(usually!) from customers screaming and yelling at times.I tried to see the problem from their point of view. I try to use the same approach in my classroom....if my student has an academic problem I will help with tutoring,questions,slowing down whatever it takes for them to understand and it has seemed to help keep retention up.

As an instructor, I have witnessed that the true and effective mentors are the more mature/older students within a class. They quickly get into the routine and encourage the younger learners to work toward their best capacity. The mentors keep everyone on pace and give the other students something to strive for. They automatically begin to serve as tutors and develop "parent" relationships with their peers.

I tell my students on the first day of class that any problem they may be experencing, or that may arise, that we are here to help in any way possible. Let me know confidentially, whether in person, or by phone,or e-mail and we'll help them find a solution.

Yes the school has to have comitmment but what about YOU. It is you that the students see day in and day out. It is you that they first go to for help. It is you that see when a student is down or not feeling weel. Do you ever take the time to stop and ask hey whats wrong can I help. Sometimes you will get no answer but guess what just your asking has made that person realize that you care. We are the frontline in the education departments of where we work. With this we need to be the ones who show and actually care about the students because if it goes to another department, well our credibility has already taken a dive. Remember school commitment is good but YOUR commitment is just if not more important.

I feel that as an educator it is my responsibility to keep the students here and interested. As i say they sign my paycheck each week and without them I have no pay. Also it is gratifying to have one of the students come up to you at the end of a phase and thank you for what you have given them. It is even better when a parent thanks you. So how do we keep them in class, remind them why they are here they had a dream, give them the best possible learning experience you can. But above all of that show them that you actually care about their present and their future.

I have had students in my class that started out with low grades, & they would say,"I don't understand it, I got student of the course in my electrical class. I just can't seem to get these transmissions!" It would appear that they would start to slip into a very reserved mindset, becoming almost withdrawn. I would take them to the side & encourage them by letting them know that certain people do better in certain subjects, but they are more than capable in this one, it may just take more effort. Usually, they would pick up & start to excell, then become more out going & sociable.

I've had students in my class talking amongst one another, & over heard them talking about what the Rep had told them about various programs or courses, & how they were lied to. I would try to get the needed information from the student to check into these allegations & they would just blow me off saying,"What good would it do now...I'm too busy to dea lwith it". I'd take it to the Manager, but the student would not go any further. I am however proud to say, it's been well over two years since I've heard any discussion of that subject.

A lot of times a student unknowingly looks to an instructor to just be there to listen so thst the student can get the stress off of his/her chest. Students that are far from home look up to instrutors for guidness while away from their parents.

When being easy with the students they think that they can take control of the class and get away with everything. You have to be tough but flexable this shows that your in charge but understanding in their needs.

No matter how we approach a student, it must be with the intent on helping them to succeed. We have to show caring and that we are not perfect, understanding and a willingness to find a solution to thier current situation. If not, then we need to know what we can and can not do or where they need to go and who to see for help.

During the past few years it has been a learning curve for me on how to interven with students and thier problems. I wished I had some type of class on how to get through to students with problems, it would have been very usefull as a guide. I know each student is differant and so are thier problems as well as dealing with them and who to send them to if it is beyound the scope in which I can able to help them with thier problem.

To build Retetion you must have a step by step plan from the time a student signs the paper work untill he is finish with the program.

There's times as an Insructor you can actually see the student failing in class that reflect the stess in these students.The Student may show a lack of interest in some cases. Some don't have self respect this definately can also make your job challenging.