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

[Bill Nettles <bnettles@uu.edu>]

Do they mean 87% of the students who attend day 1 (or other) of your class stay long enough to receive a grade, or pass, or continue at the school, or other? Sounds like they give themselves (and you, if you get to define retention) much wiggle room.  Most physical science classes I've seen have about a 10-15% drop rate. Introductory physics is 20-50% depending on the initial size of the class, the semester, and the quality of the admissions staff.  These are my apocryphal experiences over 20+ years.  Recently I have had several Earth & Space classes with <5% drops.

If they really need a physics teacher, cross that line out, initial it, submit the contract and see what they do.

> -----Original Message-----
> From: phys-l-bounces@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu [mailto:phys-l-
> bounces@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu] On Behalf Of
> trappe@physics.utexas.edu
> Sent: Wednesday, July 20, 2011 2:48 PM
> To: phys-l@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu
> Subject: [Phys-l] Retention: tail wags dog
>
> 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
>
>
>
>
>
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