Part IV C. Retaining Students

Students need to remain in the program long enough to benefit, but encounter many barriers. They encounter family or personal problems, often the same ones that interfered with literacy in the first place. They may be impatient or defeatist and give up too quickly. This is where collaborative partnerships are the most important. Working with social services can give students the extra boost they need to become successful. Sometimes, the classes must be held at the location of the service instead of at the library.

There are also some steps that can be taken within the program to keep students involved.

• The program must be predictable and dependable.
• Regular assessments can prove improvements when they feel absent.
• Tutors should work with the students to keep goals attainable with effort in the near future.
• The tutors and program coordinator should recognize student achievements.
• The students need to have a say in what will keep them going.
• Student retention must be part of the tutors' training.
• When possible, engaging a whole family is more effective than engaging just part of a family.
• Students need to learn things that are relevant to daily life.

Without support, dropout rates of 75% are common. But with support, this rate can be reduced to 50% or less.