Leaders at Western Michigan University say they think the school can do more to help students stymied by a class to resolve their issues, stay in college and ultimately graduate.
On Wednesday the College of Arts and Sciences told Western's Board of Trustees it has a plan for improving retention rates in the kinds of “gateway” classes students must take to move on to another course. In particular, certain math and science classes see many students leave.
CAS Associate Dean Keith Hearit says the university does already have some strategies for helping students who struggle.
“But if we can focus specifically on individual courses, and the outcomes in those courses, we have the opportunity to make real significant gains in one, two or three years,” he says.
Hearit adds that it’s not a question of “dumbing down” the curriculum, but rather, connecting students with the right resources. CAS Associate Dean Sherine Obare says Western wants to put students and instructors in touch with help that would make a difference.
“If a faculty member recognizes that a student is struggling, being able to quickly send them to an advisor and then the advisor is able to actually recognize what – the challenges a student may be having, and sending them to the right type of student success initiative,” she says.
About 79 percent of College of Arts and Sciences first-years move on to their sophomore year. Hearit says he’d like to see that number move into the low to mid-80s as a next step.
