Proven Retention Tactics That Everyone Talks About But Few Implement

John W. Dysart
President
The Dysart Group, Inc.

? Ensure that faculty take attendance every day and establish a mechanism to report students who do not attend class.

? Test or quiz within the first ten days of class for all courses enrolling new students, especially freshmen.

? Package currently enrolled students as soon as they apply for financial aid. Do not wait until the end of the Spring term.

? Identify ?at-risk? students prior to the beginning of each year and monitor their early progress.

? Review teaching methods and attitudes to see if they are tailored to serve the students the institution historically enrolls.

? Closely monitor payment plan compliance for all students on a weekly basis. Intervene as soon as outstanding balances begin to accrue rather than waiting until the end of the term.

? Take a hard look at academic advisement. Ensure that professionals advising students are well trained, understand academic and financial aid policies, are versed in remedial education and realize the impact of courses within a term and the timing and scheduling of courses for new students. High school students are used to structured classes five days per week.

? Pay attention to date of application and date of deposit for newly enrolled students. Late applicants and students who deposit late are likely to be attrition risks.