NSM 12U: PEER-ASSISTED LEARNING BIO 39

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As IITs, IIMs focus more on professional courses, drop-out rate declines

© Provided by The Indian Express In the last five years, there was a significant
decline in the drop-out rates at national institutes like Indian Institute of
Technologies (IITs), Indian Institute of Managements (IIMs). The drop-out rates in
IITs in 2015-16 was 1626 (2.25 per cent) which went down to 910 (0.68 per cent) in
2019-20. While in IIMs, it was 1.04 per cent in 2015-16, which was reduced to 0.78
per cent in 2019-20, as per the Ministry of Human Resource and Development (MHRD)
data. HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal in his written reply to Lok Sabha stated, "This
has been achieved by taking a number of corrective measures to minimise dropouts,
which includes the appointment of advisors to monitor the academic progress of
students and peer assisted learning." Data as shared in the Parliament. (Graphic by
Gargi Singh) According to IIT-Delhi director V Ramgopal Rao, the improvement in the
dropout rate is due to various measures taken by them including classes on
professional courses, English language, peer-supported learning, better campus
placements. "Of the dropouts, most left as they could not follow classes as
teachers teach in English. Keeping that in mind, IITs started classes on English
language in 2019 for students who lack fluency. This helped them and many scored
better in the second year than their first semester," the director commented.
Read| How to choose the right subjects after class 10: Commerce, arts or
science? | Quarantined? Use the time to gauge aptitude and find the right course
after Class 12 The institute also approached the senior students to conduct
sessions, which included doubt clearance classes by various batches for those who
could not perform well in the classes. Meanwhile, when it comes to the postgraduate
(PG) level, the dropout rate -- which is always higher than undergraduate (UG) --
is due to candidates getting better placements and not having co-ordination with
GATE-based recruitment system, the director mentioned. To combat this, the
institute has suggested the formation of a Common Offer Acceptance Portal (COAP),
to centralise the GATE-based recruitment process. The common window (COAP) will
connect the PSUs, candidates and the institute; this system helped institutes like
IIT-Madras to reduce the dropout rate in postgraduate level, the official informed.
Every year 15-20 per cent of M.Tech seats across Indian Institutes of Technology
(IITs) go vacant. The IITs blame the unsynchronised admission process by the Public
Sector Undertakings (PSUs) as the major reason behind the dropouts. In the Indian
Institute of Technology (IIT-Madras), where there were no dropouts since 2018, the
institute's scenario changed when it started providing professional courses to
students which benefited them in getting jobs. "We provide classes on various
topics related to industries, and language skills. The students update themselves
with various pros and cons of the industries, and English"," said the official from
IIT-Madras admission cell. Read| Online courses to upskill during
quarantine: Unique short courses to pursue online | Courses to enhance professional
communication | Online courses that offer foreign degree The university has also
started the Common Offer Acceptance Portal (COAP) to check the dropout rates among
MTech students. "The COAP portal provides a common platform which connects
students, the institute and recruiters. The recruiters get the opportunity to
submit the offer letter, and the candidates get the opportunity to revert in a
timely manner," the official noted. In 2018, out of the 301 students who got
admission across MTech courses in IIT-Delhi, 74 students dropped out leaving 24.58
per cent of the seats vacant. At the IITs in Mumbai and Madras, the number of seats
left vacant were 45.01 per cent and 19.25 per cent, respectively. Meanwhile, the
dropout rates in the Indian Institute of Managements (IIMs) went down to 0.78 per
cent, with at least 13 IIMs not counting any dropout rates in the last academic
year 2019-20. IIM Sambalpur Director Mahadeo Jaiswal said, the last dropouts was
witnessed in 2016, when 30 per cent students left the courses midway. But from
2017, the institute has not witnessed any dropouts. The significant and rapid
improvement is due to the various professional based classes conducted by the B-
school. "The institute conducts classes on various IT and professional courses, and
other peer supported learning and bridge courses. The initiatives by the institute
help students in their professional world and.lead to decline in the dropout
ratio," the director said.

Ehrhardt Elementary School Creates Excellent Learning Environment Through Special

Ed Programs

Ehrhardt elementary school strives to create an environment of inclusion and

support for all of its students. This focus on acceptance and inclusion is apparent
in Erhardt's school themes in recent years of kindness and teamwork, which also
translates to their special ed services. Through four different programs, the
school aims to meet the needs of all students to help them reach their full
potential academically, socially, and emotionally. The four programs available to
students attending the school include a learning center, peer assisted learning
strategies (PALS), inclusive education, and moderate to severe preschool services.
Children with disabilities work with the school to create an individualized
educational plan (IEP) that helps to determine what additional support they need
and in what program. LEARNING CENTER Students who attend Erhardt with mild
disabilities can spend the majority of their days in general education classrooms
while getting extra support at the learning center. Students attend the learning
center for a portion of their day and receive specialized teaching in any area.
PEER ASSISTED LEARNING STRATEGIES Students who require more intensive services and
support attend self-contained special education classrooms. These classrooms have a
smaller student to teacher ratio allowing kids to get extra attention and
assistance with areas they may be struggling in. The PALLS program also has outside
specialists who come in to help kids such as Behavior Support Specialists (BSS),
Speech and Language Pathologists (SLP), Occupational Therapists (OT) and
occasionally Physical Therapists. These specialists also help to assist teachers
and para-educators through training and coaching. INCLUSIVE EDUCATION John Ehrhardt
also has an inclusive education program. This program allows students with special
needs or extra challenges to attend general education classes. The students can
interact with other children and be a part of the school community.  Students in
the inclusive education program receive in-class support from Inclusion Specialists
who regularly collaborate with the classroom teacher, as well as para-educators who
remain in the classroom with the student for part of their day. MODERATE TO SEVERE
PRESCHOOL For younger kids who have special needs, severe or moderate, John
Ehrhardt offers pre-school services. Kids ages 3-4 can enroll in the program and
better develop functional communication, language, gross & fine motor and self-
help skills. Older students from general education classes also frequently
volunteer during recess and lunch. All of these programs combine to create an
excellent environment for special needs students at Ehrhardt Elementary School.
Students have opportunities to interact with peers of all different backgrounds,
abilities and skills to create a diverse and welcoming school community. To learn
more about the special education programs in the Elk Grove Unified School District,
click here! About the Elk Grove Unified School District The Elk Grove Unified
School District (EGUSD) is the fifth-largest school district in California located
in southern Sacramento County. EGUSD covers 320 square miles and includes 67
schools: 42 elementary schools, nine middle schools, nine high schools, five
alternative education schools, an adult school, one charter school and a virtual
academy. Offering a multitude of educational programs, including over 70 career-
themed academies and pathways within 15 industry sectors, we prepare our students
for college and career by supporting them with the means to be creative problem
solvers; self-aware, self-reliant and self-disciplined; technically literate;
effective communicators and collaborators; and engaged in the community as
individuals with integrity. We integrate rigorous academics with career-based
learning and real world workplace experiences and ensure that Every Student is
Learning, in Every Classroom, in Every Subject, Every Day to Prepare College,
Career and Life Ready Graduates. For more information about the Elk Grove Unified
School District, please visit www.egusd.net and follow us @ElkGroveUnified on
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. Media ContactCompany Name: Elk Grove
Unified School District Contact Person: Xanthi PinkertonEmail: Send EmailPhone:
Mobile: +1 (916) 261-6219, Office: (916) 686-7732, Fax: (916) 686-7787Address:9510
Elk Grove-Florin Road City: Elk GroveState: CA 95624Country: United StatesWebsite:
www.egusd.net