Last Chance Saloon: Academic Probation as a Retention and Achievement Tool?

Last Chance Saloon: Academic Probation as a Retention and Achievement Tool?

Sue Edwards, Ba(Hons), PGPLTStudent Liaison OfficerUniversity of DerbyDerbyshire, UK

University of Derby?

Derby University – Who are our students?

Total of 22,000 students from 120 countries

84% are aged under 24 years

73% are from the Midlands region (less than 150 miles)

16% have 321 points from A Levels

Workshop Aims

• Briefly review the history, development and implementation of academic probation contracts

• Recognise the simplicity of the system used– utilising information already available– reducing financial outlay and set up cost – opportunity for support

• Findings of review and case studies • Self-Audit of your own institutions’ practice• Opportunity for debate and questions

History• 2010-2011 academic year

81 students were issued with 14 day notices of intended withdrawal.

no formalised system for monitoring or supporting the students who were allowed to continue with their studies.

• 2011-12 academic year

90 students issued with 14 day notices of intended withdrawal

simple system of “academic probation agreements” – mandatory - clearly set out a framework of expectations and minimum performance

Development

Existing system – attendance monitoring leading to issue of W14 notice or students identified at the END of the academic year and removed for academic failure.

Step in earlier - Traffic Lighting

Green - academic achievement = Success

Amber - substandard engagement

low academic performance, missing

assignments, poor attendance,

class behaviour, health, debt

Red – stop attending, failed modules

What did we already know about students’ engagement?

Attendance Monitoring

Non-submission reports

Finance information

Academic referrals

Sickness reporting

Academic failures

Average module results

Exceptional Extenuating Circumstance Claims

W14/Academic Probation Contract

W14 issued

No contact Contact made

14 Day Removal Appointment

Immediate Removal

No ActionAcademic Probation

Break of Study

Regular review

Study continues with support

Probation Broken Immediate Withdrawal

Case Studies - The Contracts

• Rachel – widespread non-attendance across all modules, failed modules from first semester, poor mental health previously undisclosed, no support being received, no EEC applied for

• Sara – good attendance on one module, poor attendance on all others, non-submissions, missing coursework, broken promises/untruths

• Keira – poor attendance, missing coursework, disruptive behaviour

Case Studies - What happened next?

• Rachel – Graduated with a third class degree, accessed health services.

• Sara – Continues to perform poorly, attendance patchy, expected to fail majority of course in June, no improvement in study attitude.

• Keira – Continues on course, very happy and will be graduating with full honours degree, predicted 2:2. No further problems with other students, refers other students to Student Liaison Officer.

Self Audit• What data do you already hold?

– Attendance– Academic results

• What do you currently do with that data?• What could you do?

– Meetings, contracts• Partnerships?

– Support Services/Medical Services– Academics

Debate/Questions

• Do you think that “academic probation agreements” have value either as a mass advising tool or as a “last chance saloon” for hard to reach individuals?

• Where do you stand on this “tough love” approach to advising?

Thank you for your time ……

Sue Edwards

Student Liaison Officer

University of Derby

Room MS105

Markeaton Street

Derby DE22 1GB

+44 (1332) 593226

[email protected]