Loren,
We had about 450 students, and you are correct that this was quite a load for the Director of Student Affairs to handle. Some of the department heads did help by calling their students in their programs and then talking with the DSA about the student. Sometimes a student would ask to be transferred to the department head's voice mail instead of the DSA. Most of the department heads worked closely with the DSA.
The teachers get a list of their students everyday with the number of days they have missed. The teachers are to keep track of their students and report to the Dean of Education after the 2 absence and then the Dean will call the student. We have weekly faculty meetings and discuss any student that is in danger of dropping. We have work study programs to help students with financial issues. The director of the school also has an open door policy and goes on break with the students so they know he is available to talk if they need to.
Many schools put the responsibility of calling students on the faculty member. Do you know why your Dean handles the calls? Is it more effective?
One of our favorite activities are career days. During these days we bring in dozens of potential employers to our school to speak with our students, interview, and allow our students to see what awaits them on the outside. This really energizes students and helps them see what is waiting for them down the road.
Do the employers do any interviewing when they are on campus? Do the students get any one-on-one time? It's incredible how quickly news travels if a student gets an interview or job offer.
Yes. We encourage our senior student to bring their resumes and portfolios to these. Numerous job offers are made in these forums.
Through the utilization of quest speakers and field trips, we are continually reinforcing the benefits and rewards of the students' chosen career path. With this practice, we attempt to minimize or eliminate Academic Stagnation.
These are good practices to keep the students engaged with their chosen careers. How often do you have field trips? What types of sites do you visit? Is there any expense for the students? Are the trips at the normally scheduled class meeting times? Do the students have to file a report afterward?
Our mid-term exams are given on Fridays On the following Monday, the instructor meets one-on-one with each individual student to discuss where they stand in regards to their grade and their attendance percentage. At the same time, the Director of Education (me) sends a note to any student that is below 75% attendance for that class. The note states that if the student continues on their present path, the are in danger of receiving an attendance advisory for the mod. I also remind them that three attendance advisories result in their dismissal from school.
Any student that receives a grade of "C" or below gets a note attached to the progress card reminding them that tutoring is available. In addition to that, I have posted a flyer in every bathroom stall in the school announcing that tutoring is available. The flyer lists where and when tutoring is available.
You can ask any student in the school when tutoring is available and they will quote the flyer word for word. ha ha
That's certainly a creative way to get information in front of students - literally. Do you have to replace the notices very often? I would think that the notice would be a temptation for graffiti artists. Do you use this system for other messages?
We use an advisement form system to provide early intervention at our campus. If a student is performing below average academically, struggling with issues hindering success, or has developed a poor attendance pattern the instructor fills out an advisement form and discusses the issue with the student.
If the issue is outside the scope of the student / instructor realm, the advisement is forwarded to the education office where a student success manager becomes involved. This involvement can include partnering with the student and instructor, or the student and other departments such as financial aid, or student services.
We have enjoyed great student success with this team approach to helping students find solutions to challenges that hinder their progress. Students really appreciate the caring, and we feel fulfilled in seeing them succeed!
Sounds like a well developed system, James, and it doesn't seem to carry much expense. Do you have any data about the impact on retention rates?
How often is it used? What percentage of your students receive this type of attention? Have had to add any personnel?
The utilization of advisement forms is one part of a structured process ensuring student success. We also track and monitor failures, and if they were advised of their academic progress, and given the necessary assistance to have a good chance of succeeding. We also monitor feedback gained from end of course surveys, and look for trends or hot spots of concern in our various courses. The advisements only take each instructor a small amount of administrative time to complete and review with the student. We have a dedicated student success manager in the education department that monitors, and participates in almost every facet of student success. There is cost in this position; however the payoff in student success easily offsets the cost.
Sounds like a well developed program, James. Certainly doesn't seem like something that 'just happens'. How long did it take to get this fully ingrained in the school's culture?
Who is the primary driver on the program? Are there similar programs for the other departments?
The program has taken almost 2 years to become part of our culture. I have led the initiative, and work with the other departments in a team effort to help students in any way we can.
It would seem that your patience has been rewarded by achieving a culture that values student success. Congratulations!
We intervene at the failure of any test during the first three weeks of school. The student can really get frustrated during those weeks and may think that this school is not for them.
How does an intervention work? Is each instructor responsible for this action? Is there a report generated to make others aware of the problem and action taken?
We have a food bank for hungry students,ride sharing, part time employment dept. etc. Toose help with the erosion stress. Fast lane support, counselors, career fairs, tutoring, etc. That helps with the stagnation as we try and help the student retain their dream of sucess.
We constantly change the format with the student acdemics to prevent acdemic stagnation. This make for amorew possitive learning enviroment. The student tends to excellerate the learning experance.
