Student Retention // Gray Area
Sometime student retention is a difficult decision between keeping a student that barely passes or having the student withdraw and retake the course to insure they have learned all the objectives of the course. Any insight on how to make the right decision?
Patricia,
Great to hear about the strategy you are going to use with your students with learning challenges. I am excited about the success you are going to have and the results you will achieve. Keep up the good work as you continue to impact the lives of your students.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Gary,
you have given me a great tool I will use with my students. I have had many students with a barely passing grade that I don't really think will succeed in the field because they lack either some key concepts or they lack motivation because they will do the bare minimum to pass the class.
I'll start giving them something they can work after the class to be up to standards.
Brian,
You make a very good point about how much passion a student has for the field. Even with challenges their passion will drive them forward and with support they may be successful. A student without passion is not going to put forth the effort needed for success and the results will in most cases not be good, even though support was provided.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Gary, I agree with your assessment, together student and instructor can get the student to a level where the student understands the material and can complete the core competency aspects to get certified in their chosen field. One of the pitfalls of having a student retake a course is the possibility of the student, in exasperation, deciding not to continue with this particular course. A instructor might persuade the student they can get through the course with more support from tutors and the like, or perhaps the student truly is not suited for this line of endeavor. In the first scenario it makes a lot of difference if the student has a passion for their chosen profession.
Melinda,
Always a tough call but I base my decision on the fact that my standards are based upon the expectations of my field. Thus, I cannot pass a student that does not have the competencies that are required in the field. I explain this to students and the majority understand. I work closely with those students that are at the bottom of the class to make sure they know why they must improve or they will not be passed. I explain that "yes, you may get a D, but you will not be able to move forward to other courses and you will not be employable at your current level.". I give them a plan on how they can withdraw and come back in at a future time when they are ready and able to provide the effort needed to be successful both in my class and their career. This works for the vast majority of students that find themselves in this situation.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
