There is a graduate rate problem brewing in higher education. Only one in four students in this year’s freshman class will earn their degree in four years, according to recent Educationdata.org statistics.
The college graduation rates at public institutions have increased about 15 percent in the past decade, but in the U.S., the overall dropout rate for undergraduate college students is 40 percent and approximately 30 percent of college freshman drop out before their sophomore year. Alarmingly, the data reveals that while white and Asian students were least likely to leave a college program before graduation, African American males pursuing a four-year degree were the most likely group to drop out.
There are four critical areas in the student journey where students that can affect a student’s success in college, according to Complete College America, a non-profit that promotes equity of opportunity for all students to complete college degrees, and that focuses on building a more effective higher education system through policy, perspective and practice. Higher education institutions can address these pillars of success by implementing student-centered strategies that can improve graduation outcomes for all students.
1. Purpose.
The first pillar involves aligning the college experience to every student’s academic and ultimate career goals.
Strategies:
- Develop the means to connect students with the resources to help them foster their goals.
- Provide information on careers, empowering students to make informed decisions about programs of study that match their skills, aspirations and aptitude.
- Align classroom learning with competencies associated with careers.
- Engage adult learners by proactively communicating the value of a college degree.
2. Momentum.
The second pillar addresses designing multiple ways for students to get started, earn credits quickly and continue the momentum to graduate.
Strategies:
- Give students credit for prior learning, knowledge and skills.
- Consider placement options that may provide more ways for high school students to take a college-level class if they have a minimum grade point average.
- Develop pedagogical approaches for students that need additional support to succeed in college-level foundational courses.
- Help match student credit loads with credits needed for on-time graduation for part-time and full-time students.
3. Structure.
The third pillar aims to build course roadmaps that clearly outline the path to a degree.
Strategies:
- Identify the appropriate math course that aligns to the skills students need for their chosen program of study.
- Give students opportunities to explore related programs of study so they can make more informed decisions about their majors while working on their degrees.
- Identify the significant milestones that contribute to student success.
- Design schedules that meet the needs of all students and nurture their progress toward earning a degree.
- Create structures that encourage lifelong learning and attaining degrees of value.
4. Support.
The fourth pillar addresses student needs and focuses on removing barriers to academic success.
Strategies:
- Give students programs and services that help them develop academic skills they need to be successful.
- Work with advisors to ensure they take a preemptive approach that proactively anticipates and helps eliminate concerns and barriers that get in the way of student success, and require advisors to create a holistic plan for students.
- Provide students with a designated coach who can consult with them when issues arise in and out of the classroom. Train the coaches to help students find answers, identify resources and advocate and intervene on behalf of students.
- Make sure to provide support for basic student needs. Ensure that students have access to food, housing, childcare, physical and mental health services, financial assistance and transportation.