On the first day make sure your discussion is enthusiastic and passionate about their career choice.

Making each class dynamic and interesting and having them involved brings them back.

I believe first impressions are important.

I remind the students of every step that they have taken to get where they are right now and what they have overcome.The stress level of the first call to the school next the interview then the entrance test. The first day of school I go on and on with each new instructor and class how you overcame each item no the menu. This reflection allows them to look back and say yes that did happen and this is what I did to stay on track to succeed. I often have seniors or recent grads come back and tell the next group that the fight is worth it.

We recently had a student that had car trouble with very little money etc... The teacher had a roundtable discussion about this problem with other students to figure out how to handle this problem. What we found out was that there was an auto mechanic at the table and also another student that lived close and could pic this other student up and take her home. This student did not miss a day of school and had the car repaired for very little money. Resources are everywhere we just have to ask and look.

Stress levels can go up and down quickly a person says the wrong thing at the wrong time. etc... We as instructors have to be very sensitive to the students everyday and how they are in the classroom. They may have had car trouble on the way in or the children are sick. We do not know what is going on. It is our responsibility to make sure that our students get out of the class what they need from the objectives and lesson plans. We are not baby sitters but we no need to have our hand on the pulse of the students. We try to ask questions and find out what the issue is and what resources we have that can help the student overcome this stress. It often just takes some talking to get things resolved.

Recently I changed my project formula in the classroom from papers to actual real-world applications. These projects are the length of the term for 12 weeks. SO each week as we learn in the classroom we add another piece to the puzzle of the project so it is growing and maturing as the student does. This eliminates the weekend warrior that types a research paper the night before it is due. These projects are for the business/Accounting students. Business law students have to create a business from the ground up and process the proper paper work be sure they have the correct paper work for their type of company etc... this includes insurances and tax agencies. I had an attorney from the secretary of state come as a guest speaker and help to outline the need for these steps. They also had to figure out if they were going to be LLC LLP S Corp etc... What best suited their company and why. Now we have a company now we need to execute contracts and other instruments. This included bankruptcy and mergers and finally a dissolution of the company. They also had to keep a journal or record of events. this allows the student to go back and review. I have many of these same students in other classes so I have them now in financing now they have to finance this company or advertise for this company. This alone has dramatically changed the moral in the classroom. Due to the fact many of my students do want to start their own business so this is hands on experience. Nobody has left in the last two terms. My retention is up over 10%

A teacher of mine taught me that the highest calling of a teacher isn't to relate information but rather to transform the way that a student sees themselves. I think that if an educational facility can do that, the student is automatically more likely to succeed. We are of course here to educate, but what matters most is if we can make our students see themselves as people who are successful, worth caring about, and privileged to be their best self.

That's the million dollar question asked by most students when attending a post secondary school for a trade! An instructor along with the placement staff can keep a student motivated throughout the semester, or school year by bringing up the subject from time to time and asking the student to take a self assesment as to their abilities as they proceed through school

Getting students motivated through school functions designed to bring students together for "school spirit" do encourage students to stay the course

I have seen positive results in both student performance and retention when they have gone through an oreintation that covered topics that can and will effect a students success in completing their school experience!

I t is important for the admissions Rep to formulate a set of questions that are common amongst succesful graduates that will help a prospective student determine if they are seeking an education in a field that they will make every effort to complete with realistic employment ecpectations

The challenge for addressing social integration for our campus lies in the schedule. Students are in class for one day out of five and in the lab for the other four. Each day is five hours long. There is a half hour break before the next class arrives. There are three shifts. I see the opportunities for social integration to be done in the classroom day more than anywhere else.

Retention, It's hard to not help a student with bus fair money, gas money, transportation issues... Sometimes this is why they stop coming to school...

I tried the pen in the mouth smile, the pen won but, it was funny and I smiled. I will recreate this in class with my students. :)

Keeping student involved in the lessons and making sure they understand their participation will move them to the desired goal. Retension is commitment from everyone on making the outcome positive for the students. Standards can not be lowered to meet the type of students, instructors must raise the level to reach the goal, therefore most students will rise to the upgrade. Those with special circumstances will need to speak up. Schools program meets the requirements, some students may have to repeat the class.

By helping a student feel as if they belong at school make them feel as if they are missing something when they are not there when they miss class let them know that you miss them also.

This class was extemely helpful in my retention efforts with students.  I have been teaching for 7 years and it is very true that once they decide to drop -- there is not changing the student's mind.  Proactiveness and connecting with students at the very start of class is key.  I've had students who were rocking along doing just great when all of a sudden a family crisis hits and they're ready to drop the class. 

The practices provided in this class as to how to deal with students and the way to ask questions I found to be extremely helpful and I will put these recommendations to use.

 

Joyce Hladky

What ways can we help with our retention rates if we don't understand what the students problems are? If they are attending regularly but then all of a sudden just stop attending for no apparent reason?