Based on the response received, this year’s topic for discussion will be
Recruitment and Retention

Below you will find a series of questions intended to start the discussion of student recruitment and retention:

• How much control do you have over recruitment?
• Does small “p” politics play a role in retention (numbers = funding rule)?
• Has your program been renamed in an attempt to attract greater numbers? Successful ?
• Do you feel that your program been expanded but that fundamental subjects have been diluted?
• Has your program been merged or joined with other programs?
• Is the job market affecting your recruitment numbers?
• Is the average age of your student changing?
• Do you feel that the students need to be entertained?
• As a teacher do you feel that you relate to the students?
• How many of you graduated from the school that you now teach at?
• If you could teach for another 20 years would you?
• Are there any steps that you take to foster greater retention (beyond the normal teaching duties/ activities)?
• What is the major reason that students give for leaving your program if not for academic reasons?
• What kind of competition for students do you find in your area?
• Do you have articulation agreements with institutes of higher learning and is this a benefit to your recruitment?

That being said, Harry Hutchins brought forward another topic for discussion which I felt was very appropriate. Harry talked about the importance of being able to transfer wisdom to the next generation of teachers. Specifically he talked about the importance of specific sites for labs, contacts for field trips, what works and what doesn’t. On behalf of Harry, I am mentioning this for future consideration.

from David McDonald