New Research Shows Success in College Coaching Model and Promising Practices
A recent 3-year study of College Success Foundation’s (CSF) work with college students showed that the coaching model used for these students increased persistence rates for students attending both 2- and 4-year schools and dramatically reduced the stop-out rate during the first two years of college. Conducted by Research Triangle Institute International, the study of 715 students also revealed promising results related to the practice of coaching as implemented by CSF coaches.
CSF launched the college services program in 2019 with the goal of increasing college enrollment, persistence, and completion, especially for low-income students and students of color. The program uses the Fostering Success Seven Life Domains coaching strategy developed by Casey Family programs based on research about what students who have experienced foster care need to complete college. This model centers on developing trusting relationships between coaches and students to support student success and help them build skills for independence. Currently, CSF is serving around 3,500 students annually with this student-centered model.
Results from the study suggest that the current coaching model is providing positive outcomes for students to persist with their college journey from their first to second year.
Additionally, the study revealed many promising practices related to the coaching model. These include:
- Initiate new relationships for students and facilitate a warm handoff with their new college coaches through events, emails/calls, and/or meetings.
- Conduct early engagement with students over the summer or early in the school year
- Use multiple channels (eg. texting, phone calls, emails) and messages to connect with students which take into account their diverse backgrounds and experiences
- Meet immediate needs- eg. if FAFSA is due, talk about how you can help with FAFSA
- Be persistent and consistent with outreach and communication – Students might not engage until the tenth attempt
To promote repeat engagement with coaches, the study recommended that coaches do the following:
- Provide relevant and requested information, resources, and/or advice at every meeting
- Demonstrate care and empathy
- Be responsive and reliable
- Continue communications and create systems that help with prioritization and
- customizing outreach
As more interest is paid to supporting students in persisting and completing college, the coaching model employed by CSF indicates that personalized, consistent, and student-centered supports can have a positive impact on outcomes.
Training for the coaching model is offered by Fostering Sucess Coaching Institute https://www.fosteringsuccesscoaching.com/
The RTI study was funded by the ECMC Foundation.
