Thanks, Anna. This is a good summary of what good schools do.
Our school implements a strong support system for students. When they miss a class, instructors call the student the same day. Apart from this, we have a student success coordinator who not only functions as a go-to person for at-risk student, but also facilitates the student mentor program. Staff and faculty also remain professional and approachable to all students. Regular and open communication exists. All staff/directors in offices have an open door policy, walk through halls and attend class to be in touch with students. We have been successful with regard to retention and our students believe we care.
Thanks, Cristina. Teamwork is vital in the success of a career college. Too often, factions develop so that the focus is only on one department's goals. You folks are on the right track.
We have a wonderful team that works closely together towards a common goal...and that is to change our student's future. From the time they enter the campus, everyone from Admissions all the way to the Instructor plays an important part. We closely monitor attendance and follow up via calls and emails from the time they miss a class. We keep all communication lines open, the faculty and staff are friendly and we make sure the students know where to go when they need anything. Instructors have the tools to motivate and keep the classes engaging and I sat in all the classes to make sure we have maintained that.
Cheryl,
You are on point here. It is easy for the constant contact to seem like nagging if we do not make it very clear that we are calling to support students. One way to reduce the number of times this "conflict" might occur is to teach students to contact us if they know they will be out of pocket for at least four days. It works for us.
Thanks, Marilyn!
What happens if issues are identified through the observations or questionaires?
Thanks, Earl.
Calling students who miss class is a staple for most career colleges. The trick is to make sure the call focuses on encouraging the students and focusing on how we can help that student stay caught up with the coursework and get back to school.
We also contact students by phone and email whenever they miss class. It's important to show them that their presence is valued.
The one thing we have had to be very careful about is paying attention to the student without being demeening. Being online we have to monitor attendance so when a student has not logged in for 7 days we start calling. Many students who have been away on business or vacation get offended when we start prying-in to why they have not logged-in, even though they know our policy is that they must log in to each class at least once every 6 days. There is a very fine line between showing interest and being "parenting". We also have to be respectful of adults.
We have classroom observations, as well as student feedback questionnaires that are given to students at the end of each term.
Thanks, Earl. It sounds like your campus is a compelling place to go to school.
There are several things I can think of. We are a Career College and each student is required to wear their program scrub. We compliment compliance and make issue with those who do not comply.
We are very personable by making efforts to know all of all students by name. Attendance is taken every class and students are contacted who do not show for class. I personally know all of my students by name within 3 weeks.
Also, we have awards ceremonies every quarter to reward classroom achievement and attendance. It is truly a celebration!
Writing advisements when students miss time or don't follow rules is one way we monitor our students. J.P.
We have stich meetings twice a week were we meet with our Education Manager and Student Sucess Manager. Each chef talks about the student who is in danger of failing. Also which ones are not coming to class. This helps keep our hand on pulse of our class and what is going on with our students.
You make some good points here, Patricia. Class loads need to be a consideration when building schedules and setting expectations.
I actually work full time for one school and I teach as an adjunct of two other schools. One of the schools I work for ensures that I’m paying attention to my students by providing feedback from student surveys as well as specific critiques of my instruction and feedback to my students. The two other schools I work for provide quarterly feedback based on the quantitative results of the student’s in class surveys. I find both techniques to be effective but the critiques tend to place pressure on the instructor to go easier on the students to protect retention.
I believe holding teachers accountable for retention is about 50% of the solution to the problem of student retention and success. I think monitoring the maximum number of students allocated to a single professor would make it easier for the professor to be an effective mentor. As a distance education professor, I spend countless hours responding to emails from students, grading assignments, preparing lectures, and then doing it all over again. What I’m trying to say in so many words is that it is difficult to be the “ideal†mentor when your class size increases disproportionally to the amount of time you can spend with each student.
Thank you, Scarlett.
Keeping engaged with the students will go a long way toward improving outcomes.
Hello Larry,
Placing a phone call to the students helps the instructor learn why the student is not active in the class. Some studnets maybe in the hospital or having family issues.
Hello Jeffrey,
We pay attention to our students by providing feedback at least four times a week and once on the weekends. This allows the studnet to communicate to you as well as the there peers.
Sarah,
Thank you for this post. Taking the time to learn each student's name is really worth the effort. Your students are fortunate to have a Registrar who cares about the students as much as the records, processed and numbers.
