End of hope
At what point can Instructors and Program Directors believe that everything that could be done to retain a student has been done?
I agree seeing the light at the end of the tunnel is so important. Stress happens to everyone, teachers and students alike; which does indeed affect your outlook on life.
Hello Debi,
I don't think that we ever get to that point. Each campus should tailor their efforts to their population. While there are some parallels, students issues can present varied levels of complexity. The goals/outcomes should be the same but those little things, in conjunction with the general retention initiatives, can change by the day.
True, Peter, but some factors can be positively impacted by someone on campus.
at our campus, ive learned that there is only so much that we can do for our students, certain factors are truly out of our hands.
Chasing isn't a good practice and the institution must be careful not to make inappropriate accommodations to retain a student.
In my experience, the line between hand holding/coddling and advising/motivating is largely in the eye of the beholder. Erica. And it's probably a moving point for each student given their circumstance at the moment. Certainly we all want to develop personal responsibility but how that happens is part of the alchemy of teaching.
Of course a faculty member can only do so much. If the student's mind has been made to never attend class again, after several attempts I think it's ok to walk away. At some point the value of the other students must come into consideration. Perhaps presenting the option of a later date to return would be an attractive alternative to the "chasing" it feels like we so often do.
I totally agree with the need for more personal responsibility. As an instructor we have to find ways to balance what assistance we can give and what assistance the student can give/seek themselves. Hand holding and coddling beyond advising and motivating can, in my opinion, do more harm than good in the long run. Career and technical schools are not just charged with teaching subjects, but also charged with fostering the necessary skills that are required to be successful in the students chosen career field.
If only they would just see the light and believe. Sounds simple, but we all know better.
I think at some point, personal responsibility on the part of the student has to be considered. We can't force students to stay in their seats but what we can do is help prevent the unnecessary attrition. Ultimately, though, the student has to decide whether or not he/she wants to listen to their own self-doubt or shift their focus to the positives and how far they have come.
Debi, if there was a simple answer to that question we wouldn't need this course. Each situation has many nuances and what a student needs may change quickly.
