NECESSARY AND UNNECESSARY RETENTION
Regarding Necessary retention in RT 101.....
What can be done to rescue these at-risk students who withdraw, due to personal, family, academic, financial or substance-abuse issues?
Intervention
Can there be a wellness person/referra agencyl who tracks these students and their progress, before, during and after their issues are resolved to remediate them back into the programs?
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Regarding Unnecessary retention in RT 101.....
Social Skills
Can we erode the interest in pop culture/social media/electronic devices during school hours (that distract) by offering students incentives to aquire skills instead. They could "earn" credits for:
1) 1 no homework pass
2) 1 "leave a half hour early" pass
3) Wear"jeans" day pass
4) Other
These would be only for students who achieved their goals.
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Any thoughts?
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Nancy
I think a lot can be done to help the at risk students. For example, the first thing is to notice who is at risk. Then, to talk to the at risk students and offer tutoring.
I like Nancy's ideas. Everyone likes to be rewarded. I think it can encourage other students to become more motivated to achieve performance standards who may be challenged.
Tutoring for a student facing academic challenges helps build confidence in a short period of time. Engaging with the students offers the 'we care' from all staff members. Retention will be increased because of the interaction reinforce the 'we care' attitude among the students.
@Icenance : Hi Nancy, I share your predicament. If I get a penny every time I say "Please put your phone away," "no facebook, please," etc...
Instead of rewarding them for not doing what they are not supposed to be doing in the first place, I would probably do the opposite--take points off of their class participation grade for doing what they are not supposed to be doing while in class.
It is also important to set the rules on day one. Append your rules to the course syllabus and have them sign a copy for you to keep.
I am just glad none of my students has the watch with a phone on it yet.
