Kirk, "lengthy" scares me. What response rate do you get for this survey? What's the motivation for a student to complete a lengthy survey, knowing that they won't benefit from it?
Victoria, sounds like a comprehensive approach. What results are you getting? Do your students respond positively to these initiatives?
Scott, are the classroom observations scheduled in advance or unannounced? Who does them and what's the follow up with the instructor?
How do students connect with the student success center, Carrie? What are the responsibilities of the people who work in the center?
Bill, please tell us more about greeting students each morning? Do they all arrive at the same time and use the same entrance or do you have to move around to see everyone? Do you get any actionable information from the students doing this or is it just intended to set a tone?
At our school surveys are given out to each student after they have completed the entire program. The survey is quite lenthy. It covers the equipment used, the facilities, ways to make the program better, thier likes and dislikes about the program,and their views on the entire faculty and staff. They are told that they do not have to put thier name on it unless they so desire. After they graduate the surveys are then reviewed by the entire staff.
We conduct a school survey each quarter and also do class evaluations at the end of each quarter for each class. Student Services, which includes the Director of Education and the Registrar are in regular contact with the students to make sure they are progressing in the program. We do mid-term evaluations of students for their science and technique classes. We are also available to talk to students who are having personal issues. We keep a directory of community resources available in our area. We also encourage the instructors to follow-up with students who have been absent for more than two days.
We have implemented a few things to give us a better understanding of what is going on within our campuses. We do student surveys each term and we also do formal classroom observations so we can first hand understand what is going on within the campus and each classroom to give us a better understanding of what each student is experiencing on a daily basis. It also gives us more insight as to whether students are truly happy with the education they are receiving.
My school utilizes student satisfaction surveys and comment boxes to attempt to gauge how satisfied students are on campus. In addtion, we have a student success center staffed with academic coaches who literally ask students how they feel, what are we doing well and what should we improve upon.
The most effective things we do are those that happen every day. Either myself of another member of the student services team is on hand to greet students each morning as they arrive for classes and we have a universal open door policy and encourage drop-ins for advice or help. In addition, cohorts elect student reps who have regular meetings with administrators to discuss classroom and curriculum issues. Lastly, our career services director brings potential employers on campus frequently to discuss career options and expectations.
Lawrence, do each of your students have a IEP? Who creates them? Do they vary materially?
Lawrence, how do you confirm that the students actually understand what is expected of them?
We do a student survey about the whole campus three times a year. It is similar to the Noel-Levitz. Then, we go over the results at IEP meetings throughout the year.
We have the Dean come into the Student Success Course and go over policies to make sure the new students actually understand what is expected of them.
Vicki, is this training an on-going program? Part of new hire training? Who is responsible and how are results evaluated?
Sounds like a very positive, proactive approach, Racheal. Have you been able to quantify student response to this treatment?
Glad to hear you are using a College Success course, Gretchen. How long is the course? Is it for credit? Has it produced good results for you?
Gretchen, have you discovered any ways to gain student confidence?
Kelly, what responses do you get from your students on the 2 week survey? Have you gotten information that has been useful in improving student success/satisfaction?
James, how often do your students take advantage of this policy? Many schools offer it, but you really have to work at cultivating a culture where students will actually take the initiative.
