Student retention is a critical factor for the success of the FRNYC at your school; the program's effectiveness will depend on your students' engagement and commitment. Schools should therefore develop a plan to foster student interest and increase the likelihood of sustained participation.
Core components of a successful retention strategy include:
- Programming to build community: Consider organizing FRNYC cohort activities beyond the classroom to foster connections among FRNYC students
- Personalized engagement: Schools should provide personalized engagement opportunities like 1:1 advising sessions where advisors/counselors can support students that may be struggling or express the desire to drop out of FRNYC
- Progress monitoring: Establish a structure within which all FRNYC students' FRNYC (along with core-academic) coursework progress is monitored so that if and when students trend toward becoming off-track, targeted supports can be implement, ensuring active FRNYC program participation and progress to graduation remains on-track
- Reviewing CN course attendance data: With your CUNY partner, perform a weekly assessment of who is attending, and engaging in, CN courses. Create individual student-engagement plans to ensure success.
- Monitoring WBL attendance: Regularly communicate with your intermediary partner to ensure students are engaged and attending their WBL. Establish a protocol and communication plan for when a student may need to be absent.
Recommendations for alternative or non-traditional school models:
The FRNYC team recognizes the diversity of NYCPS students' high school journeys. While the recommendations in this section reflect broadly applicable recruitment timeline and strategies for grades 9-12, these resources should ultimately be used in conjunction with your schools' current student enrollment processes.
Please work with your pathway director for support with program adaptations and additional resources.
Reminder: Find the action items related to Recruiting and Retention within the full FRNYC Planning Checklist.