Student retention numbers

A couple of week ago I was chatting to one of my placement tutors who was having problems with the numbers of his students. It wasn't that his students were all leaving but that some from last year were on the wrong course for what they wanted to do for their careers and so he helped them as much as he could but also suggested they leave the course and study something that would be more beneficial for them. This caused problems for him in terms of money loss for the college.

However I am interested in this from an inclusivity point of view. At teachers of course we must do everything we can to accommodate all students and help them to learn but if they really are on the wrong course shouldn't we also do something about that, even it if means that student moves onto a different course?

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Permalink Reply by Andrea Thompson on January 1, 2013 at 9:57am

I agree it should what benefits the students the most and I've seen this with another course, where a course was changed as the right people weren't consulted before it was set up, so some students were doing something they didn't quite want to do. The teacher however incorporated as much as possible the students desired subject into what needs to be taught, to be inclusive, but it has been a battle with some students as they just didn't want to be there and that had a knock on effect with the students who did want to be there.

I think initial assessment has a big part to play when students are choosing courses and speaking to the right people is essential. Being realistic with students about what the course will entail and assessing their abilities, also where it can lead, so students can make informed decisions, but I can understand the pressure of getting enough students onto a course. It all needs to be balanced as if the students aren't on the right course they can leave, get poor marks or distract others from achieving and that would seem worse to me, than having fewer students to start off with.

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Permalink Reply by Jo Cuming on January 3, 2013 at 7:23am

I agree with Aimee it is our job as teachers to help in the development of students, and give them advice which is going to help them get to the places they want to be. If a student is on your course and realises it's not for them I believe it is down to you to sit down with them and find out how to get back on track to a career path that suits them.

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Permalink Reply by Melissa Jade Totman on January 4, 2013 at 6:14am

I think it's terrible that sometimes the focus is on numbers rather than the actual feelings of the students. Teachers are under so much pressure to have a certain number of students or for them to get a certain amount of the top grades. If a student is unhappy on a course and you think with few changes they can continue I would do my best to make them stay and to not throw away their chances. However if they are really on the wrong course and it isn't going to benefit them in the future then it is a waste of their time and the tutors time. I'd try my best to get them on the right course for them.