STUDENT RETENTION
How can we deal with too many absemces
When my students are late I wait until break time to give out my tests on theory day.
Lavete,
I support your position and effort to help students to understand why they are in school and how school can be of benefit to them. They need to see value to what they are studying. I find many students have selected a career area without really exploring it and once they are in the classes find that it is not a good fit for them. This is when the counseling starts and we try to help them get into an area that of interest to them.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I have noticed in my experience that students that are often forced to go to school have a lack of interest in coming to class. I like to sit with them one on one and ask them about their goals and interest. Perhaps this is the wrong avenue for them and I can assist them in going in the right path. There are several reasons as to why students have excessive absences. At the end of the day there is never any sense in making an investment into their education without anything to show for it!
Sharon,
It is always tough to lose a student but it has to be done at times. Hopefully the student can get his or her life together and be able to come back to school some day. I let such students know that the door is open for their return and that I am there to support them should they come back. Knowing this helps the students to see that they do have a future in the school once they are ready to be students.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I just had to drop a student for repeat absences. It was a really hard decision to make, but because of the administrative policies, my hands were tied to that decision.
Moving forward, we are making sure that any student who is absent is given clear expectations and guidelines on the absences effect on their grades and their success in their careers.
Riteshkumar,
Have your policy on absences printed in your syllabus. Make sure to get your administration support on how you deal with absences. Then remind students via emails, texts, etc. that they are missed in class that you want to encourage them to be in attendance. If these follow up efforts do not work then you should drop them from the class. They chose to attend college so they need to take responsibility for being there and doing the work. I understand there are life challenges that come up and these can be dealt with. If they miss too much and they pass your course without the needed knowledge and skill development then they in reality do not have the knowledge and skills to move forward so they will not be successful in the workplace. Employers have expectations of your school and program and those expectations have to be met or it won't be long before employers will stop hiring graduates from your college.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
