Doing follow up calls to the students that are absent(same day).
We contact student who are absent to check on them on a daily basis. Absence tickets are sent to our Program Chaur so she can follow up.
We are committed to the students 100%. Through challenging curriculum, excellent teaching and training, we strive for the best and refuse to put out anything less than that. That is how I define our commitment.
How long has the school been offering this course, Debi? Long enough to observe results? Does it have full academic status? What do you cover?
One of the first classes the student will take is Career Development a course that shows students how to prepare to be in school, resources for tutoring and computer help. We also have student ambassadors, they work with students on a number of issues, from help with classwork, to helping them find the resources (monitary) available to the student. Provide job placement and community resources.
This effort to contact students who miss class is one of the practices that sets career schools apart from other higher ed institutions. I'm sure there is a lot of discussion in faculty rooms about the practice but it seems to be a standard practice at many of our schools.
We are committed to out students, by calling or emailign them when they have missed a day or had a bad day in class to remind them that there is always tommorrow to try it again.
At this time, we do not have a stated policy regarding the amount of time without contact. I agree that would be a great addition to our policies. When the student does not attend several consecutive classes, we make contact with the student. In order to stay on top of the matter, I think the professor should make contact if the student misses two consecutive classes.
Most students have let the professor know if they have to drop the course. We have a stated policy that the student must submit notification in writing to the administration.
The first line of defense so to speak in identifying irregularities is the student's immediate instructor. His observations of the student could then be discussed with the next level of management to formulate a plan. Based on the outcome of that conversation, either a plan will be devised and implemented or the manager may decide this needs to be pushed farther up the management ladder to make sure it is being handled properly. At any time, should a manager not have specific experience in the area of a given problem, he can consult student services resources or any one of a number of other internal resources to ensure the best resolution is being implemented.
What's the magic of having an administrator make the contact, Chana? Would a conversation with a faculty member be as useful?
Sounds like a major challenge, Chana. Do you use peer contact to keep students engaged - for example, team assignments?
Bob, how are irregularities identified and who is involved with creating the plan?
Catherine, does your school have a policy about time that can pass without contact? How do you know when a student has dropped out?
Steve, any idea what percentage of your students take advantage of these resources? How do they find about them?
Pamela, what's the next step if the absences are health related? Do you offer catch-up classes, tutoring, a leave of absence?
Sounds like a thorough holistic approach, Shannon. Is this done by department? Have you seen positive results?
Nancy, be careful using the title "counselor". People using that title must have specific supporting credentials. Hopefully, you can encourage your school to develop a well rounded support team.
Good for you, Travis. What percentage of your time is given to these calls and meetings? Sounds very time intensive.
It is great that you are open about challenges, while talking about how to achieve success.
I like the idea to have an administrator talk to each student at the end of the semester to ensure that they remain enrolled for the next semester.
