Loren Kroh

How might you use these tools, Diana?

It is important that students learn to communicate with people in authority; industry clearly is looking for those skills. If students will only communicate freely when they remain anonymous, it suggests a climate of fear and can result in further misunderstandings.

You are right about the importance of building a trusting relationship, Victoria. Students usually are reluctant to ‘speak' freely on surveys if they know that the instructor will see the comments and be able to identify them. For many, the fear of grade retaliation is just too great. Meeting with the DOE seems like an effective way to demonstrate the school's commitment to quality and honor the confidential nature of some communications.

You are on the right path, Karl. It is critical that students have realistic outcome expectations and clear goals. Otherwise, you will have frustrated students and instructors as they try to compromise on the acceptable outcomes.

Action items 2 and 3 certainly are doable, Edlynn. I urge you to check Federal regulations before implementing monthly retention bonuses.

Is there anything you can do now to get things moving, Katayoun?

Letting student's know that it's natural to have fears can be very comforting, Miriam. I'm sure they appreciate knowing that you will be there for them.

Identifying actions that would be helpful is a good place to start, Miriam. How will you take the next step to making this a reality?

Thanks, Sarah. Seems that you have a well defined procedure in place.

If students believe that you value their input and will make a good faith effort to respond, they will give you some great ideas. However, if they don't see any results from their comments and suggestions, they will quickly tire of the exercise and ignore the surveys. How do you communicate your institution's responses to these comments, Sarah? Who decides what the action will be?