Category: Student Success

2019, Retention, Student Success

Improving Student Success is Simple. Really.

By Dr. Watson Scott Swail, President & Senior Research Scholar, Educational Policy Institute Over the years, I’ve written books and articles, blogs like this, and conducted dozens of workshops and conferences sessions on student success. I’ve sat in a bunch, too. And in every one of them, people want to know one thing: how do I improve student success? That’s it. That is the one question people … Continue reading Improving Student Success is Simple. Really.

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2019, admissions, College Access, Student Success

A Story of Excellence and Advantage — The Story of Esther Wojcicki

By Watson Scott Swail, President & Senior Research Scholar, Educational Policy Institute Esther Wojcicki is a very bright woman. On Friday, the education expert wrote a piece on TIME magazine titled “I Raised Two CEOs and a Doctor. These Are My Secrets to Parenting Successful Children.” The piece is an excerpt from her upcoming book, “How to Raise Successful People: Simple Lessons for Radical Results.” In it … Continue reading A Story of Excellence and Advantage — The Story of Esther Wojcicki

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2019, admissions, College Access, Student Success

Predictive Modeling for Student Success: A Cautionary Tale

Many colleges and universities continue to turn towards predictive modeling to complement their admissions and enrollment processes. A recent report from the Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario found that 36 percent of respondents from Canadian universities and colleges were using predictive modeling as a way to “improving student retention” and 40 percent said they were considering doing so. Respondents said they used the process to inform their strategies for retention, including support services and individual advising. Continue reading Predictive Modeling for Student Success: A Cautionary Tale

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2019, admissions, Advising, Retention, Student Success

The Lever Principle for Student Success

By Watson Scott Swail, President & Senior Research Scholar, Educational Policy Institute Colleges and universities use many varied strategies to reduce turnover and retain students. There exist amply ways to do this across the many divisions and departments, including student and academic services, teaching and learning, financial aid, and others, to encourage student success. I find that most of the institutions that I work with are cognizant … Continue reading The Lever Principle for Student Success

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2019, Advising, College Access, Retention, Student Success

Defining Student Success

By Watson Scott Swail, President & Senior Research Scholar, Educational Policy Institute At the start of all our Retention 101 workshops, I ask participants how they define student success. I give them a few minutes and make them write it down. Then we share. Over the years, I have collected over a thousand definitions from people. Here are some verbatim (e.g., unedited) samples from recent participants: My … Continue reading Defining Student Success

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