retention
this is something I have a problem with. If the student is not willing to do the work or is not qualified, is it good to keep them when they will never be able to do the job due to work ethics or lack of ability?
Regarding those students who lack ability:
I've struggled with this myself. The sticking point for me is that realization that students who are willing to work but simply cannot do the work are probably the ones who need the degree the most.
Before you shake your head, consider why they are getting the degree. Is it for the career itself or for the chance to finally finish something that they started? Is it for the piece of paper or for the pride that goes with it?
That's where I'm stuck. When the majority of my students come from a world where they are told that, or treated as if, they will fail and where they are often recipients of abuse... who am I to join the ranks and say "you can't do this"?
I steer them towards programs where they can be successful, direct them to supprt services, provide tutoring, etc.
Too many people already step on the students that we see. Some times you need to help them struggle through so that they can learn that they can finish what they start, and so that they can develop a degree of self-confidence that is otherwise lacking.
Hi Dr. Gecewicz,
So true. Your comments are right on target in terms of needing some career counseling as students prepare to enter post-secondary settings. Students need to make career choices based upon having knowledge about and experience in career areas that fit within their personality, abilities, aptitudes and goals. Doing a better job in the area of career guidance would be a valuable service to these individuals.
Gary
I, too have issues with admission of students for the sake of enrollment numbers. It is much more ethical to truly engage the student in an area of interest and one where he/she can be successful than one who does not possess the skills to be successful in a certain career field. What I find lacking is that some admissions personnel do not understand the importance of the ability to read and to physically meet the requirements of a career choice. A blind student cannot and should not be engaged in the medical assistant program. A student who cannot write cannot not be expected to do charting! There needs to be a better system of screening to avoid frustration, the high cost of college funding repayments and a sense that such students will not be a success. Everyone has a place, but not always in a technical career. Dr. Sandy Gecewicz
Hi Shane,
As adults that have enrolled in a post-secondary institution for an education the ownership of success rests with them. I agree that you should not have to chase students. I believe instructors should encourage, reinforce, support and respect students but in the end the success factor rests with the student. They have to step to the plate and do the work that is required or they fail. Not a hard formula to follow. This is the same as what they will find in the work world so they need to learn how to be successful in their field.
Gary
I feel that instructors should do their best to retain students but if a student is not participating, not responding and not submitting any work than instructors should not have to chase students. I disagree with the policies that force instructors to chase the few students who are not attending thereby reducing the time spent on students who are attending and participating.
I wonder as in many schools, retention is not part of the instructor's perogatives in the sense that we can flunk students but make them take another class. It also seems like giving up and I suppose it is necessary some times but I like to try to work with the student and find a win win solution.
To assist with my student retention, I engage with students one on one each day to demonstate that I care about their learning. They feel valued.
Hi Judy,
To retain them really isn't fair to anyone, most importantly the student. This is where some in-depth and serious career counseling needs to be done. Bring in someone from the student services office to help with the counseling so the student can be given other options to explore that will better suit their abilities, interests and skills.
Gary
