Report Offers Way Schools Can Help Dropouts Complete Degrees
By Joelle Fredman, NASFAA Staff Reporter
Over one million students drop out of college annually, accruing loan debt despite not having earned a credential. A new report found that despite myths that these students are weak learners and have no intention of continuing their education, a majority want to return to college yet continue to face barriers to completing degrees.
The ReUp Education report, "The Forgotten Students," aims to correct misconceptions about students who stop their education and offers suggestions as to what schools can to do to help this population of students re-enroll in college.
Authors Nitzan Pelman, CEO of ReUp Education, and Geoff Watson, president of Entangled Velocity and ReUp Education advisor, argue that the first step in helping students return to school is understanding their challenges and motivations.
The authors argue that while many believe that students who drop out of college are typically "weak students," more than 40 percent of this population has a GPA of 3.0 or higher and more than 89 percent of students who dropped out said they planned to continue their education at some point. The authors also dispel the myth that students are motivated to return to school solely to advance their careers and increase their earnings potential, when it fact a majority of students said they returned to "finish what they started" or overcome a challenge.
"The misperceptions of the stopout population are exacerbated by universities not having the time, the budget, or resources to understand these students or collect meaningful data, which can provide a more holistic picture," the authors wrote.
Despite the fact that the dropout population is comprised of strong students with intentions to return to school, the authors found that colleges face many barriers when it comes to helping these students re-enroll, such as how to appropriately reach out to them once they leave the school.
"Re-engaging students who have left the institution can be sensitive and the initial approach is critical to building a positive relationship," the authors wrote. "Knowing the right time, the right medium, and the right message are of paramount importance."
The authors argue that schools need to approach each student who drops out on an individual basis to address their specific needs. In addition to reaching out to students via phone, email, and text at different points throughout their reentry process, for example, ReUp Education connects students who have dropped out with relatable coaches, such as those who were first-generation college students, to assist students on a deeper level.
"Being able to share authentic experiences of overcoming significant life challenges and having the tools to support students is critical to not just bringing stopouts back but also to helping guide them to graduation," they wrote.
Other barriers that the authors identified that colleges and universities face include how to properly guide students through the process of re-entering school and support them throughout the experience.
"This is a unique population of students, and each individual requires a personalized reentry plan with the right mix of support, resources, and guidance. Returning to education often involves supporting students by helping them shift from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset," they wrote. "This is work that cannot be accomplished overnight but needs to be cultivated by professionals who can empathize and help catalyze lasting behavior change."
The authors suggest that schools begin using predictive analytics to collect data on dropouts to help inform them on best practices for outreach, as well as make the re-enrollment process as simple as possible and offer students alternative pathways to earning a credential, such as online courses and accelerated degree programs.
"It is time to stop accepting the status quo—that 50 percent of students will never finish their degrees. Universities should continue improving the educational offerings, pathways, and student support services for all students, especially those at risk of stopping out," the authors wrote. "We must also recognize that students will leave, but it does not mean we should give up on them. With the right approach—mixing humanity and technology— we can engage these individuals with respect and openness, help them overcome internal and external barriers, and, ultimately, empower them to reach their full potential."
Publication Date: 3/22/2018
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