retention is everybody's issue
We all need to find ways to improve student accoutablity which will increase student retention
Yes, collectively it's the responsibility of the whole campus and the students. At every point in a student's journey from admissions to post-graduation job placement can a campus make improvements in its policies, communication and engagement with it's students. Instructors play such an influential role because they have the most interaction with them during their program, but learning and our abilities to address accountability and improve retention is a joint effort. There are usually very few reasons that a college can't in some way help assist a student to find ways for them to achieve their goal.
Have you asked, Mary? It's certainly not an unreasonable expectation, but one that has to be communicated.
I wish I knew more about how my campus (counselors, student advisers) interacts with students who are on probation or are on the verge of dropping out. I get asked for their grade on a weekly/bi-weekly basis. Sometimes I feel the communication is one sided. As an instructor I'm asked to let folks know how she/he is doing in class but I never hear back from our advisers/counselors. It's a one-way communication track. I don't know if what I'm doing is working. Yes, the student maybe/may not be attending but I would welcome additional feedback.
"it takes a village to raise a child"
Think of college as a place that a student lives, breathes, and carves out their future. With all of this in front of the student it is very much expected that stresses and large amounts of potential drop out rates.
In smaller career colleges it seems very easy to reach out to student issues, because the blinders are not on everyday.
A large campus can be treated the same way if the staff look at their job that way. They are more than just teachers and faculty...they are part of the large village that it takes to raise a child.
The network of everything at a college must be maximized for the students success.
Indeed. You're describing a culture that involves everyone in a common mission, Beverly. How has your school managed to develop this culture?
Retention IS the responsibility of everyone on the college campus! Our students are exposed to people who work in admissions, financial aid, the library, the management, and the instructors. ALL of us must work together to create an environment where the students feel valued and well educated.
I feel that retention is everyone's job. As an instructor it is important to keep the students engaged in the classroom. keeping the classes interesting by incorporating various teaching methods, such as group projects, guest lectures, not just simple lectures. This can be a part of retaining students.
I agree that this is a great solution to the growing need to reenforce positive student success.
I believe fostering a caring environment, coupled with qualified faculty, sets the tone for positive student success.
Michael, how are you defining student accountability? How will it positively impact student retention?
Loren Kroh
