victor cancel

i agree that the student has an accountability
to perform in class and also work as a team

Jeffrey Schillinger

BJ,

Balancing academic rigor with accountabilty for retention has long been a challenge for career college faculty and staff. There has to be some balance that is often hard to find.

If too many students are failing, the college needs to look both at the instructors and the program itself. Some colleges have developed a system whereby students are continually drilled on the basics from revious courses so that they continue mastery. Others have built capstone courses that serve as a place for students to prove they know what they are supposed to know before they graduate.

We cannot graduate students who do not know what they need to know or cannot do what they need to do.

BJ Arnold-Weeder

I have been trying to instill a measure of accountability not only with my students, but also with my instructors. Since I also act as the Academic Dean and Gen Ed department chair, one of my biggest hurdles has been to get instructors to set the bar high enough for students so that when they graduate, they have the necessary skills to be successful in their career. Issues of grade inflation have me pulling my hair out. And I see students who were passed on - that are now in my class - that are struggling with basic skills. We as instructors have to be held accountable for educating these students because when those students graduate, their employers will hold us accountable.

But how do we get instructors to set the bar high when the focus on retention is higher? Many instructors feel that if your individual attrition or failure rate is high, you will be regarded as a poor teacher and lose your job. How do we balance setting the bar high, holding teachers and students accountable with high retention rates?

Peter Jones

I usually have students in class for a total of 12 weeks, after they have completed minimum of 27 weeks basic skills learning.
Many have not been held accountable for damage to training aids during basic skill learning as they are learning and not yet proficient at tasks.
As I teach at a higher level, we have various check forms to aid the correct procedures and feedback during class pointing out flaws in methods or procedure.
For the first 3 weeks, the grade is not affected for incorrect practice, providing no damage is done.
I also use examples from my working career to pointing out where accountability will lie when they join the workforce and put into practice the things they have learned in school

Jeffrey Schillinger

Thanks, Jennifer. well said.

Sometimes teachers forget to give feedback to the quiet, average students in their classes. We focus so much on praising those who excel and working to help those who do poorly that we forget the students in the middle.

Jennifer Anglin

I agree with this statement. We as educators must encourage our students by providing daily feedback. It is important to reach out to all students even if they fail to communicate. It is necessary that we constantly communicate with our students so we can assess their understanding of the material or the barriers that prevent them from engaging. Education is not a one way streak; both parties must interact to successfully achieve the learning outcome.
Jennifer Anglin

Bree Higgins

I strongly agree. What people tend to do is not follow through. All too often then not people let things slide and don't follow up with a student. Students need to be made accountable for their own actions and it should be brought to their attention when they are doing something that they shouldn't. Things shouldn't just be let slide 'this one time'

Jeffrey Schillinger

Thanks, Rick,

What are some of the specific things you do to teach accountability?

Rick Osborne

I believe accountability is the answer. I find for many of our students it is a new concept. They are use to being yelled at when they fail to perform or make a mistake but no one ever places expectations on them and then explains what to do when they fall short. I know much of my job involves teaching them the concept of accountability.