(264) A Remediation Program to Promote On-Time Graduation and Reduce Student Attrition

Objective :

Objective: To implement a formalized voluntary remediation program to aid in student retention, progression, and on-time graduation (while reducing attrition).

Methods:

Methods: Information was gathered on remediation from PharmD programs via school websites and publications. A remediation policy and program were drafted after two regional remediation coordinators were interviewed for feedback on their programs. The proposed policy and remediation program were presented to faculty for feedback and subsequent approval for implementation during the fall 2021 semester. Skills-based courses and elective courses were excluded from remediation.

Results:

Results: Three semesters of remediation have been completed and a fourth semester is underway (Spring 2023). After three semesters, 28 students have been approved for 33 remediation sessions in 11 different courses. Of the 29 sessions that were completed, 23 (79.3%) were successful. Of the 28 students who have been approved, 5 (17.9%) were previously off-track, 18 (64.3%) remain on track and 26 (92.9%) remain in the program. Eight students (28.6%) avoided dismissal with this policy. We are in compliance with all ACPE attrition benchmarks for our current students except for the incoming class of 2020 where the withdrawals exceed 6%. This is attributed to COVID and a student death.

Conclusions:

Conclusions: This policy is a work in progress. After each session, the Assistant Dean of Educational Outcomes met with faculty who have provided remediation for their course to find areas of improvement. This information has been passed on to all faculty and used for revisions to the policy. Implementing a remediation program has been a learning process but has allowed 18 students to remain on track so far and has reduced attrition in the PharmD program.