Chronology Current Month Current Thread Current Date
[Year List] [Month List (current year)] [Date Index] [Thread Index] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Date Prev] [Date Next]

Re: [Phys-l] Retention: tail wags dog

A couple of comments:

1. 50% retention from declaration as a physics major to graduation as a physics major has been what I have seen over 45 years.

2. Is the 87% retention meant for the college or for the program? I find it ludicrous to imagine that 18 year old can know what they desire to do at the 87% level. Forcing them to complete physics is a disservice to many of them. They come to college, see opportunities, some decide that a different major fits them perfectly, and they are much better off for that choice.

Vern


On Jul 20, 2011, at 3:47 PM, <trappe@physics.utexas.edu> wrote:

I recently received an "Instructor Responsibilities" list as part of a
teaching contract at a "For Profit" College.

I invite your comments on this particular item:
"You understand that 87% retention is the minimum student retention
expectation and will be included as part of your yearly evaluation."

In particular, does anyone have hard data on typical (college) student
retention numbers in Physics (also interested in college algebra).

While we would all like to have that many students commited to doing
what it takes for their retention in our classes, the subject often
lends itself to self-removal. I have heard numbers closer to 50% in
some classes.

Since this is a "for profit" notion, and since there is a prevailing
wind that the "business model" of education is what we ALL should be
practicing, I get the foreboding that this tail will soon be wagging
everybody's dog. Already, legislatures are pushing for greater
retention ind increased graduation rates in public colleges.

But 87% minumum retention is pushing the envelope, especially as an
indicator for faculty dismissal. Have any of you observed this
phenomenon in your teaching?

Thanks, Karl





_______________________________________________
Forum for Physics Educators
Phys-l@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu
https://carnot.physics.buffalo.edu/mailman/listinfo/phys-l