One thing would be:
Clap out sessions each quarter for perfect attendance and/or honor roll
One thing would be:
Clap out sessions for honor roll and/or perfect attendance
Certificates for community involvement
certificates for in house participation
this would be a recognizable effort for all major departments to as a whole; not just given to teachers to handout
We have several awards that are given to the students at the beginning of the term, from their previous term, such as an attendance award, honor roll and other academic awards. It is important to honor these students in front of their peers, it gives them a great sense of accomplishment and provides the students something to strive for. Also at the beginning of the term, student services schedules a week's worth of activities for the students and snacks and giveaways during their break. We also celebrate most of the major holidays by having the students dress up or have a dress down day. I feel all of these activities help with student retention.
Robert,
A good range of student recognition. Thanks for posting.
Ron Hansen, Ed. D.
Our students are involved in community service activities in the area. For example, we have cut-a-thons and visit local nursing homes to perform cosmetology services. This helps create bonds between students and with the assisting instructors. This also helps the student see what good they can do in their career field. We also have a little party for each individual or group graduation.
We have small parties for our graduates, and all current students in attendance are involved. It makes our graduates feel special, and our students are motivated to achieve the same success. We are also involved in community service in our area. We go to local nursing homes to perform cosmetology services. We also include our students in career fairs. These experiences provide bonding between students and with the faculty/administration. We are considering starting something small but special for students' birthdays. Anything that makes them feel cared about individually creates a bond between them and our institution, and therefore affects retention.
Community service activities (ex. cut-a-thons)
Parties for graduations, birthdays, etc.
Students working on each other during practical assignments (cosmetology/barber/esthetics)
These are strategies we currently implement. We will also be researching the possibility of study groups at our school to further foster bonds and help students feel supported. Even without the study groups, however, our small class sizes assist in this bonding.
Ann,
I like this. I can imagine the satisfaction. And happy faces of those on the receiving end of a hair cut.
These are a couple ideas that are implemented and I feel are important contributors to student retention and experience: Student council programs to increase student involvement by the students and Student of the course to award those who achieve excellence.
Field trips during first term and 4th term (mid point of program)
Variety of Guest Speakers.
We have a Help Desk that services faculty and staff and will be mandatory for students to join
Volunteer to work with people with no tech experience
Participation in all school club activities
