Counseling & Support

Evidence-based Strategies - Examples, Research and Tools

Strategy g: Establish a system of providing support to students who are close to graduating or meeting their goals, and those who seem at risk of dropping out.

Examples

CLC Mentoring Project
Cambridge Learning Center
Following up on prior action research on re-engaging stopped out students, the CLC investigated the potential of using volunteer tutors to mentor GED and adult diploma students. Their findings showed that well-supported mentoring improved attendance, persistence, and graduation rates.

Pay Off: New River Finds Success with Retention
Jenny Bolte
This program’s analysis of their GED data led them to create a new position of Retention Specialist whose responsibility is to help GED non-completers resume their studies and develop a study plan. The program created a flexible GED-on-Demand testing schedule and began offering it in varied locations and times to accommodate students.  They also began to offer multiple learning options, ranging from more intense hours of instruction to computer lab. They subsequently experienced a 47% increase in GED completions.

Providing On-going Support
Maria Kefallinou
This ABEL Journal article describes the multiple ways that staff at Quinsigamond Community College built and sustained supportive relationships with and among students to help them persist.

Tools

Good Mentor Practices
Cambridge Learning Center
A list of “good practice” developed to guide volunteer mentors in their communication with adult students.

Phone Support Script
Quinsigamond Community College
Staff at this program developed a phone script so that any student calling to stop out of class receives consistent information and encouragement to continue learning.