These public we invent a tailored pedagogy

Students face problems of end of month or "dropouts", ZEP pupils who dare cross the door of the FCC, difficult family context, lack of methods of work... The question of equality of opportunity is not only for large schools. Universities, despite their low tuition fees, are facing the same difficulties.

It is this problem that is attacking the University Lyon-III Jean-Moulin, with a unique arsenal in France. "We have 30 of fellows, and the public at all social levels." "We do the maximum to keep our students on the tile," said Hugues Fulchiron, President.

Pedagogy adapted

Centrepiece of the device, the University pole of proximity (PUP). This (optional) support and accompanying structure first proposes a set of eight modules, intended for students in first and terminal a dozen institutions - schools PTA or in rural areas, for the most part. Each module lasts three hours, enables to work on a specific theme: discovery of higher education, oral expression, time management, general culture... All works on the model of vocational training. "This is not a course, but a seminar," said Fabien Lafay, responsible for the PUP." These public, we invent a tailored pedagogy.

High school students, for example, assess themselves modules. With respect to the interveners, the majority of continuing education leaders are. Their first reflex: transform the arrangement of the room, so that it does not resemble a class. Sessions take place at the lycée, but Lyon-III, also to touch of the finger to the future graduates that is actually the University. Several of these actions have received success Cordée label.

The same type of device is for the students of the University (in licence and master), with a catalogue of 15 modules (on the network, the labour market, management of stress, techniques of memory...). "We opted for an open tool, which encloses not the student," explains Fabien Lafay. Today, the PUP first target vulnerable populations: holders of a "non-classical" bin, or those who have had a reference to "fair", the fellows (who often have difficulty crossing the Cape of the first year), college graduates of high schools located in PTA.

The record, in any case, is positive. "The PUP allowed us to double our rate of success with students in difficulty, welcomes Fabien Lafay.". It is a simple, inexpensive device, and which allows young people to hear another speech than failure. "In four years, about 2,000 young were assisted, for a budget of 70,000 euros per year - 160 euros per student.

Multiple tools

This is not everything. Lyon-III also leads a class of summer in an operation designed to assist students from disadvantaged backgrounds to enter the preparatory class. An initiative with Insa, EM-Lyon, Normale sup and other large schools, and the CROUS and the Rectorate. For registrants 23 of 2008, there are 12 success stories - a rate well above the average.

This still add other devices, specific to certain fields. Thus, the IAE, the University School of management, a team offers support strengthened Research Internships and jobs, and support for unemployed graduates. A College of law, students undertake their own tutoring - volunteer or for a fee. In total, Lyon-III offers a thirty tools, all free of charge, to help students succeed. Since the "CV book" to recruiters, to the "weeks of success", in November, with forums, conferences, workshops... Rest to students all the aid to which they can access. Where the idea of distribute them a booklet introducing all these possibilities.

Academic leaders plan to soon create a foundation called "Objective equal opportunities", with companies. Interested, several firms have already given their agreement.