Student Retention
As Instructor's we always have to keep the students learning keep them busy..
Ruth,
Friendship and cohort groups are two great ways to keep students in school. Your school's approach is a good way to encourage student interaction and fosters personal growth. This becomes the foundation for student success throughout the program.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I have found that at this career school the students who are made to feel comfortable from the very first class are more prone to complete the program. In this first class the goal is to inform the students of all the materials and methods needed to be comfortable with the way the school works in all the various areas. Familarization with principles and procedures is key at this first step. As a part of this class, students form support groups within each program so they will have other students in their program to rely on when they need help or have questions. They form friendships within their programs. This seems to be one factor that carries much weight at our campus. If the student forms friendships, they feel they are a part of something other than just attending a class.
Gladys,
I like your method because I see the wearing down of my students as well. They forget the end goal sometimes as a result of the challenges they are being presented in their personal lives. They need to encouraged and supported at times like this using the format you are describing.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
This may seem remote and mechanical, but one thing I constantly do is keep my students appraised as to their academic progress, every couple weeks I meet one on one with my students to review their progress and remind them of the academic expectations, as well as to remind them as to why they enrolled in this class in the first place. I find that when students are submerged in the daily grind of studies, they lose track of both the academic goals, but more importantly they may lose sight of those personal goals that moved them to enroll in the first place. Keeping their eyes on the prizes, so to speak.
Terry,
How do you do this in your classes? Thanks for you input on this.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
