Retention and the economy?
With the current economic conditions and competition between different schools trying to attract students, does anybody see for profit schools in general lowering their standards to to improve their retention?
An interesting question, Matthew. Are you referring to admissions standards or academic standards and how would that change impact retention?
I think that in the short run lowering academic standards would be a mixed bag. I would help keep the students that you are lowering them for but it could frustrate the better students and maybe they would leave. In the long run it would affect retention adversely. As I tell my students it is not what something costs it is what you get for the money that is important. If you give them less of an education for the same money I don't see them being happy nor are their future employers going to be happy with their performance.
Well with the economy the way it is, I have seen an increase in retention with the students that this it has hit the hardest. My older students that have decided to change careers and get into the technical field pretty much have no problem with retention. The younger ones have no clue as to what the real economic impact we are facing. They both start out excited and eager to learn their new profession, but despite the best tactics and measures, retention will always be an issue that we must face. I agree with any and all methods, keep them engaged, have respect for them, follow the policies set forth by your institution. In the end someone that wants to leave, whos to stop them?
I have noticed the price of fuel stabalizing to a lower amount as opposed to when it was $4.00 per gallon has made a large difference.
Jobs are becoming more available for technical fiedls it seems in the past few months, but the hard part here is finding jobs for the student that is stillin school trying to support themselves while in school.
In the effort of trying to support students while they are in school, we have set up a food pantry and let out students know that if it comes down to the last $20 in your pocket, use it for gas to get to school. The many support systems that a school can put into place are endless.
A noble program. How often is it used? What are the most sought services? What's the budget?
The food pantry is to assist students if they are having financial troubles. The pantry is stocked with the basics - mac and cheese, spaghetti and sauces, tuna, cans of ravioli, chili. The student would need to see student services to get assistance with the food pantry.
This is for students that have a true need.
The food is supplied by the employees. We also host barbecues to and invite students to check other programs within the school that they might not be enrolled in.
As a whole, I have not seen any of our standards lowered. In fact standards have become more strict, and the students are living up to those standards.
I work in a school that prepares students for a career in the electrical trade.As the economy decays more and more students try to enroll in our program.To succeed in the electrical field a student needs a strong background in the English language and math Many new students have only participated in E.S.L.programs and have limited abilities in math. Should I expect this trend to continue?
You are not the first to ask this question. Following is a posting on a First Year Experience List Serve: Is your institution experiencing a greater need to help students with their entry proficiencies of reading, writing, and math? A better question is, do you believe that students are not as well prepared for reading, writing, and math due to their high school experience? Any statistics, trends, or thoughts?
The general consensus seems to be that students are not as well prepared.
Is your college preparing for this?
Even these type of programs are stretched in these times.
As much as we dont like to believe the price of fuel will afect every thing we do and when it is high every thing will cost more. By keeping this in mind if we want to keep retenion up we need to work with the students. I am not saying to lower the cost for the school but help them with travel to and from class with car pool info and information on were they can get food at a reduced price.
Does your school have an active car pool program? If so, who manages it and with what results? Do the students take advantage of the opportunity?
Hi, Juan..I really like the idea of a food pantry. I have heard of students going without food and even camping out on the back porch of the school (due to being homeless). There are students who cannot purchase the textbook for the course and try to "get by." Times are really hard! Thanks! Chyrisse
What would it take to establish a food pantry at your school, Chyrisse? Can you work in conjunction with a nearby social service agency to get started?
