OATdb Archive - Sam Houston State University

OATdb Archive

2008 - 2009

First Year Experience

Goal

Recruitment & Retention

Recruit and retain qualified, motivated students.

Objective

FYE Retention

Students who have participated in FYE programs will be retained at a higher rate than students who have not participated in FYE programs.

Indicator

Retention

One-year retention rates for FYE participants and non-FYE participants.

Criterion

Retention

Retention rates will be higher for FYE participants than non-FYE participants.

Finding

Retention

The retention rate for SAM 136 students was 75%. The retention rate for Freshman Learning Community students was 75.29%. The Composite retention rate was 74.76%.

Action

FYE Retention

The retention rate is just slightly higher for the participants of FYE programs than for those who do not participate. We will continue to strive to increase the retention rate of the FYE participants through the improvement of the SAM 136 course and the FLC program. Please see those specific programs in the OATDB for specifics.

Update to previous cycle's plan for continuous improvement

Plan for continuous improvement Retention is the primary measures used to evaluate the effectiveness of The First Year Experience Program. For the past several years that data has revealed that students in FYE programs demonstrate a higher level of risk than than non-FYE students. However, the retention rates for FYE students is essentially the same as for non-FYE students indicating that the program is effective.