Strengthening Learner Persistence
Facilitator
Kathy Fagan
Description
Every learner’s journey to literacy is different. But no matter what path a learner chooses, he or she will encounter difficulties along the way. There could be changes in the home or work environment, or a student may become discouraged or confused. These situations become obstacles if the learner stops coming to class.Some students manage potential obstructions better than others. They demonstrate “persistence”. Such learners find their way over, through or around blockages on their path. If a student with persistence is forced to leave class, he or she will return when conditions become favorable again.
What helps a student change “drop out” to “stop out”? Persistence can be encouraged in many ways. Studies show that even the simple habit of learning a student’s name quickly and using it often can create a sense of belonging that keeps him or her returning to class.
As teachers and administrators, we’re always looking for new ideas in this realm. In this workshop, I will share some suggestions that can be implemented immediately. Participants will be invited to contribute their own experience as well. One idea (setting short term goals) will be modeled, as participants make a plan to implement a persistence strategy in their own work. I’ll then present an overview of ways to promote persistence that may currently be beyond our reach (for example, offering child care). Finally, participants will receive an annotated list of resources for later reference.
I hope that participants will leave this workshop with many ideas for strengthening persistence in our program as well as a specific plan to try one new strategy right away.
