While these needs may be found in only a small minority of the students, there should be equal opportunity for all students to advance and achieve. In the single student faced with confusion, that instance may be either a life changing or a debilitating experience for them. This can severely impact their decision now and for the rest of their life.
In that light, he suggests, that a student profile be maintained by school counselors so that his or her progress can be monitored throughout their academic life. Instance such as illness, physical or emotional, or family concerns should also be noted in that they may have impact on when due dates for assignment are missed or exam not taken coincide with personal problems. While a wide latitude is inadvisable, certainly there is some needed if true learner support is to be achieved. There indeed should be a student support telephone number in place that the student can call to report such problems and be given reassurance that there is some remedy...
This should be manned by full and part time specialist that have experience with student problems and
disabilities as well as being able to give accurate advice on career development decisions.
The author notes that perhaps this advice should be given by the instructor. This is a
legacy from the past where the
teacher was the be all and end all of student support. The author is of the opinion that the teacher has more than enough to do with the education and classroom activities and would not have sufficient time and
energy to devote to such more extensive learner support that is required. However, these activities are not mutually exclusive either and the learner support team would certainly work closely with the
instructor to achieve the best result for the student concerned.
