Home > Guidance Glimpse > March-April

Guidance Glimpse: Retention

It's time for the next "Guidance Glimpse" and the topic of this one is:

Retention, Retention, Retention...

I think most of us in Career Tech struggle with being sure that our students who say they want to attend tech in April or May show up next August!

A lot can happen during those summer months and this topic will hopefully give you some ideas of things that tech centers are doing around the state! Hope you can find something that might help in your area.

Have a GREAT Summer and hope that all of those students do show up next August!

Angela Lesher
Admissions Services Coordinator
918.828.5205
Fax 918.828.5209

I have asked several of my colleagues across the state and here are some of their ideas of ways to be sure that students you have on your rosters in May show up in August!

March/April
  • Over enroll each program to help with the drop outs during the summer
  • Acceptance letters go out from the superintendent
  • With the acceptance letter there is a postage paid card for them to return that has them check yes or no
  • Teachers call all new students to invite them to the open house, which they should have received a post card in the mail and ask them if they are still planning on attending
  • Tech staff person in the schools during the pre-enrollment times at each high school
May
  • Teachers contact new students via letter, e-mail or phone to welcome them to their class
June/July
  • Packet of information mailed to the students in July with school calendar, CTSO flyer, college connection flyer, bus flyer, letter from campus director, map of campus
  • Invite students and parents onto campus the 3rd week in July to finalize their enrollment (paperwork, student info sheet, internet use, verify address, social security number, emergency contacts, etc.) Those students that do now come on campus are called and can complete this via phone. They may be dropped from the list if no contact is made.
  • Counselor calls every parent personally to let them know we are looking forward to having their child next fall
August
  • Instructors call all students to be sure they know when the first day of school starts and verify if they are still planning on attending
  • Magnetic postcard mailed - Lists campus and phone numbers along with a message congratulating them on making the right choice to attend tech and prepare them for their future
  • Post card from instructor welcoming them to the program in August
  • 2nd letter in August about back to school rally (Tues. before school starts the students and parents are invited to attend this rally to meet the instructors and see the programs. There are also returning students there to answer questions.)