Executive summary
The primary purpose of this feasibility report is to provide an in-depth analysis of student retention in educational institutions. To ensure this is achieved, it examines various factors that affect student retention, analyses the current retention programs, identifies the best practices, and offers recommendations for improving the student retention rates in educational facilities. The report starts by evaluating the importance of student retention and its impacts on the educational institution’s success. Moreover, regarding feasibility assessment, the report evaluates the cost considerations, resource allocation, stakeholders engagement and implementation challenges associated with these infinitives. Moreover, based on our findings, this report recommends long-term and short-term solutions that can be implemented to ensure student retention is appropriately established and implemented.
Introduction
Today’s world keeps changing; one sector that has highly changed is the education system. Regarding the education landscape, student retention has emerged as a critical concern for educational institutions across the country and the world. Thus this feasibility report aims to explore the factors affecting student retention in institutional facilities and analyze the current retention facilities these institutions are taking. The paper will also identify the best practices and provide best practices that this institution can incorporate and also provide possible recommendations that can be used to improve the student retention rates. In this paper, I will examine the feasibility of implementing effective strategies since this report aims to assist educational institutions worldwide in embracing student success and creating a supportive environment for them.
Body
Methodology
I will use primary and secondary research methods to conduct this feasibility report. The Primary research will involve surveys and interviews with students, faculty, and staff to gather their perspectives on student retention and how it is conducted. On the other hand, the Secondary research involved a comprehensive review of academic literature in determining other people’s perspectives regarding student retention in their institution, institutional reports, and case studies on student retention.
Student retention
Student retention refers to the ability of educational systems to retain and enrol students until they complete their studies in that facility. The higher retention rates in these facilities create higher institutional success as they contribute to financial stability, school reputation and student satisfaction. Despite how advantageous it is for the school’s student retention, it still faces many challenges, such as educational unpreparedness, social integration, financial status and the school culture. One can adequately understand these problems and evaluate effective retention strategies. Schools also face challenges in retention due to a lack of engagement, inadequate academic support and the mismatch between the student’s and parent’s expectations and what the institutions offer.
Analysis of the current student retention
The current student retention policies are effective due to the institutional policies established to regulate it. These rules include early alert systems, student academic advising, tutorial services and financial aid programs that help needy students raise funds that support their academics. Through analyzing the strengths and the weakness of this current retention in identifying the areas of improvement in it (Lewis et al., 2019). One strength of this retention is that it creates Advising and Counseling Services for the students about their Academics, which is vital for assisting students in setting academic goals, selecting appropriate courses, and addressing personal challenges. Another strength is student engagement, whereby Engagement Activities Student engagement activities, such as clubs, organizations, extracurricular events, and community service, promote a sense of belonging and connection with the institution (Caballero, 2020). Assessing the impact of these activities on student retention can help institutions enhance their engagement strategies. Also, these Programs and Interventions in Many institutions are implemented for specific retention programs and interventions targeted at at-risk students. These programs may include academic support workshops, peer mentoring, career development initiatives, and proactive outreach.
Best Practices in the student retention
According to Tight’s (2020) article, the best practices that can be put in place to help and improve student retention in educational institutions include the creation of a supportive learning environment, implementation of comprehensive orientation programs that involve student’s needs, provision of a proactive academic advising unit, integrating technology for student support, and promoting student engagement among each other. However, Caballero (2020) argues that the best practice is through Innovative Approaches and Technologies. Leveraging innovative technological approaches, such as predictive analytics, adaptive learning platforms, and virtual support systems, can enhance student retention efforts (Burke, 2019). This is because this practice makes the students feel valued, and their needs are being valued through this friendly environment created by this technology.
Feasibility assessment
Various considerations are being considered to implement an effective student retention program, such as the level of cost involved. Financial resources are required for every strategy to be implemented; thus, assessing the cost associated with staff training, school infrastructure upgrades, technology adoption and other program developments helps determine the feasibility of the proposed initiatives. The institution must also budget and forecast the expenditures in implementing the strategy and determine whether it is productive. According to Caballero (2020), another consideration that is taken into consideration is resource allocation. Whereby adequate human allocation, such as finances and technology, is crucial for implementing the retention program initiatives. Thus, identifying the existing resources and exploring potential collaborations or partnerships can maximize the impact of the institution’s retention efforts.
To implement student retention programs, there must be a collaboration between the institution, parents and the students. This is because they are the major stakeholders in educational facilities. Whereby according to Tight (2020), Stakeholder Engagement in this Student retention initiative require collaboration and buy-in from various stakeholders, including faculty, staff, administrators, and students themselves. Assessing the level of stakeholder engagement and addressing potential barriers or resistance is essential for successfully implementing the initiative. Another feasibility that should be considered is the challenge implementation plan. This is because when the initiative is implemented, there are challenges that come along, so the institution should be well prepared (Burke, 2019). Challenges such as resistance to change, limited staff capacity, and cultural barriers should be carefully considered. Developing strategies to overcome these challenges ensure the feasibility and sustainability of student retention initiatives.
Recommendation
Short term solutions
Based on the analysis conducted in this report, one shorter solution that should be considered is enhancing academic advising services to the students; training and advisors, implementing proactive outreach strategies and proper utilization of modern technology in the learning facilities can achieve this. According to Burke (2019), the facilities should consider strengthening the learners and the teacher’s engagement by expanding extra curriculum activities such as fostering o sense of community development and student leadership.
Long-term solutions
Long-term solutions involve the establishment of comprehensive student centres that help them integrates their academic support services, career development resources that help the student build and choose their career choices effectively and the establishment of a proper mental health counselling unit that will help reduce the level of depression, anxiety and stress among the students. Also, implementing a data-driven approach to the data retention of students by leveraging predictive analytics and early systems will enable the identification of at-risk students in need and the provision of timely intervention (Tight, 2020).
Monitoring and evaluation
The institutions should be able to develop mechanisms to help them monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of these retention initiatives through regular data analysis, student opinions and feedback surveys and possible outcome assessments. According to Park et al. (2020), the institutions should also be ready to continuously improve their retention strategies based on the student feedback since this will help them be satisfied with the institution retention and practice improvement based on data collected from the surveys to ensure the success of the retention initiatives.
Conclusion
Conclusively student retention is a complex and complicated term with many challenges that require a lot of research and jurisdiction to understand since it requires much research and a historic data-driven approach. Through assessment of the current retention practices, exploration of the best practices, and considering feasibility factors, educational institutions can develop effective strategies for improving student retention rates in their facilities. Considering many challenges in the sector through implementing short-term solutions and long-term strategies while monitoring and evaluating their impact will contribute to a supportive and successful learning environment for students.
References
Burke, A. (2019). Student retention models in higher education: A literature review. College and University, 94(2), 12–21.
Caballero, B. F. (2020). Higher Education: Factors and Strategies for Student Retention. HETS Online Journal, 10.
Lewis, C. L., Swanzy, D. M., Lynch, C. M., & Dearmon, V. A. (2019). GROWTH: A strategy for nursing student retention. Journal of Nursing Education, 58(3), 173–177.
Park, J. J., Kim, Y. K., Salazar, C., & Hayes, S. (2020). Student–faculty interaction and discrimination from faculty in STEM: The link with retention. Research in Higher Education, 61, 330-356.
Tight, M. (2020). Student retention and engagement in higher education. Journal of Further and Higher Education, 44(5), 689–704.
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