At-risk Student Management Trial Got Students to Withdraw Before they Failed But Not Engage

The Australian Centre for Student Equity and Success (ACSES) has reported on a randomised trial of techniques to help at-risk student management (AARSM). In the trail students who did not interact much with a course learning management system were identified: some were offered help, others not. The trial found that the students with intervention were more likely to withdraw early from the course and thus not be recorded as a fail, but were no more likely to pass the course than those who were not offered help. This result doesn't surprise me, as it is in line with my experience teaching. What does concern me is that the intervention mentioned I had assumed would be part of standard course design and teaching, not anything special. 

The way I have designed courses is to have a small assessed task each week. In the first few weeks the instructors notes say to check which students failed the task and in particular which did not attempt it. Each such student can then be sent a message asking if they need help and pointing out where they can get it. After a few weeks students can be identified as at risk and referred to the relevant person for action.  Using this approach, I find students rarely fail, as students who are having difficulty early on either have their problem addressed, or withdraw.

It doesn't surprise me that few students are helped by intervention, as their problems are, in the main, beyond of the scope of the educational institution to help with. However, even just nudging students to withdraw before they fail can at least avoid making their problems worse.