Students who enroll in SAM 136 will fulfill the learning objectives of the course.
Objective
Apply Course Material
Students will learn to apply course material by developing basic study skills (e.g. reading, writing, note taking, and test taking), enhancing critical thinking/problem solving, and developing life skills (e.g. health/stress, nutrition, relationships/sex, alcohol/drugs, and money management).
Indicator
Independent Educational Development Assessment (IDEA) Ratings Associated With Applying Course Material
IDEA ratings will indicate student perception for SAM 136 learning objectives.
Criterion
Mean Scores Of 3.50 Or Higher
The mean scores will be at least 3.50 indicating moderate, substantial, or exceptional progress on Questions 23 and 31, which address this objective.
Finding
Applying Course Material Results
Means over all SAM 136 classes: Question 23: 4.20 and Question 31: 4.05. Although these scores are well over the criterion score, applying course material has some room to grow when considering students' perceptions. Question 31 addressed learning to analyze and critically evaluate ideas, arguments, and points of view. This will be an area to strengthen.
Indicator
College Success Factors Index (CSFI)
The College Success Factors Index identifies student success factors relating to personality traits, culture, values, and academic behavior. Students are compared with students their age on a national level.
Criterion
SHSU SAM 136 Pre- And Post CSFI Scores On Task Precision, Expectation, Wellness, Time Management, And College Involvement
The students’ scores will improve from pre- to post-test. The post-test scores will be above the national norm.
Finding
CSFI Results
Students in SAM 136 did improve on Task Precision, Expectation, Wellness, Time Management, and College Involvement. Still, although improvement was noted, none of the characteristics reached the level of "good" on the graph. The weakest area is time management.
Indicator
Course Syllabi
The template for the course syllabi will indicate that students are presented with information on applying course materials, developing oral and writing skills, developing personal values, and finding and using resources.
Criterion
Course Syllabi
The learning objective for applying course materials, developing oral and writing skills, developing personal values, and finding and using resources will be included on the syllabus template from which all course syllabi are taken.
Finding
Learning Objective Included
The learning objectives on applying course materials, developing oral and writing skills, developing personal values, and finding and using resources are included on the syllabus template. This does not give us any information on whether this assesses SAM 136 effectiveness. As in the previous finding, developing personal values appears to be an area that is weaker than others.
Action
Applying Course Material Intervention
To address the weakness in learning to analyze and critically evaluate ideas, arguments, and points of view, SAM 136 instructors will introduce critical thinking exercises that specifically require analysis and evaluation to come to an accurate conclusion.
Action
CSFI
Although students did improve, not many students took the post-test due to technical difficulties. Also, the way that the report is given to SHSU, we cannot determine if the results are significant. Because we cannot determine effectiveness using this instrument, we will not be using this instrument in academic year 2011. Still, the data does indicate that SHSU students in SAM 136 classes struggle more with time management more than other issues. More focus will be given to characteristics of appropriate time management during the 2010-2011 academic year.
Action
Learning Objective Included
Continue to include learning objectives on course syllabi. Since this indicator does not give us specific information regarding the effectiveness of SAM 136 courses, this indicator will not be used next year.
Objective
Develop Oral & Writing Skills
Students will develop skill in expressing oneself orally or in writing by enhancing effective group dynamics through course activities.
Indicator
IDEA Ratings Regarding Oral And Writing Skills
The Individual Developmental Educational Assessment (IDEA) indicates a student's self-reported results for the SAM 136 learning objective.
Criterion
Oral And Writing Skill Development
The mean scores will be at least 3.50 indicating moderate, substantial, or exceptional progress. Questions 16 and 27 address this objective.
Finding
Oral And Writing Skills
Means over all classes: Question 16: 4.40 and Question 27: 3.91. Although developing oral and writing skills were above the target score, there is still room for improvement.
Indicator
Course Syllabi
The template for the course syllabi will indicate that students are presented with information on applying course materials, developing oral and writing skills, developing personal values, and finding and using resources.
Criterion
Course Syllabi
The learning objective for applying course materials, developing oral and writing skills, developing personal values, and finding and using resources will be included on the syllabus template from which all course syllabi are taken.
Finding
Learning Objective Included
The learning objectives on applying course materials, developing oral and writing skills, developing personal values, and finding and using resources are included on the syllabus template. This does not give us any information on whether this assesses SAM 136 effectiveness. As in the previous finding, developing personal values appears to be an area that is weaker than others.
Action
Oral And Writing Skills Interventions
Although the criterion was met, it seems that students do not recognized a substantial gain in oral and writing skills. To that end, more opportunities for oral presentations and gaining writing skills through more specific feedback on written submissions, both by the instructor and the Writing Center, will be given.
Action
Learning Objective Included
Continue to include learning objectives on course syllabi. Since this indicator does not give us specific information regarding the effectiveness of SAM 136 courses, this indicator will not be used next year.
Objective
Develop Personal Values
Students will develop a clearer understanding of, and commitment to, personal values through enhancing leadership, service, learning, and civic responsibility skills/values, becoming sensitive to and valuing different cultures, and respecting diversity.
Indicator
IDEA - Course Evaluation
IDEA will report students' perceptions of learning objective progress for SAM 136.
Criterion
At Least 3.50 Mean Score
The mean scores for Questions 16 and 27, which address developing personal values, will indicate perceived moderate, substantial, or exceptional progress.
Finding
Personal Values Findings
Means scores overall for all SAM 136 classes: Question 16: 4.40 and Question 27: 3.91. Question 27 addressed gaining a broader understanding and appreciation of intellectual/cultural activity (music, science, literature, etc.). It was the lowest of the means used in these assessments.
Indicator
FOCUS Entrance & Exit Interviews
FOCUS will indicate a student’s self-reported results for SAM 136 learning objectives. The FOCUS Entrance and Exit Interviews are published by the textbook publisher, but there are no national norms for the interviews at this time.
The percentage of students answering agree or strongly agree will increase from the entrance interview to the exit interview and will be over 70% for the exit interview.
Finding
FOCUS Entrance & Exit Interviews
Entrance Q. 21 – 79.35% average; Exit Q. 17 – 75.67% average. Even though responses remained in the average range, it seems clear that students view community involvement less crucial than they did initially. Apparently, there was an increase in responsibility to serve the community and less in thinking students personally could make a difference in the community.
Indicator
Course Syllabi
The template for the course syllabi will indicate that students are presented with information on applying course materials, developing oral and writing skills, developing personal values, and finding and using resources.
Criterion
Course Syllabi
The learning objective for applying course materials, developing oral and writing skills, developing personal values, and finding and using resources will be included on the syllabus template from which all course syllabi are taken.
Finding
Learning Objective Included
The learning objectives on applying course materials, developing oral and writing skills, developing personal values, and finding and using resources are included on the syllabus template. This does not give us any information on whether this assesses SAM 136 effectiveness. As in the previous finding, developing personal values appears to be an area that is weaker than others.
Action
Personal Values Intervention
Since the SAM 136 course does not focus on music or science but does focus on the common reader, it will behoove us to actively discuss how the common reader does provide a broader understanding of intellectual/cultural activity. This is especially true this coming year when the common reader is "China's Son," which chronicles the author's determination to obtain an education during the cultural revolution in China.
Action
FOCUS Entrance & Exit Interviews
Although it appears that the percentages went down, the scores are averaged across several questions. More thought they had a responsibility to serve their community, but less thought they could make a difference. We may consider separating these questions in the future to get a more true picture of the results. Regardless of how we interpret the results, service learning and civic engagement must be presented in a way that encourages students they can make a difference in the community regardless of how substantial the involvement is. One proposal is to have students delineate how their actions impacted the community and whether added contribution would make a more substantial difference.
Action
Learning Objective Included
Continue to include learning objectives on course syllabi. Since this indicator does not give us specific information regarding the effectiveness of SAM 136 courses, this indicator will not be used next year.
Objective
Find & Use Resources
Student will learn how to find and use resources for answering questions or solving problems by locating and utilizing (engaging in) university resources, services, and activities/events and initiating career exploration and major/minor areas of study exploration.
Indicator
Students' Self-Report IDEA Ratings
Students' self-report IDEA ratings will indicate the SAM 136 learning objectives progress.
Criterion
IDEA Mean Scores
The mean scores for Questions 21, 23, 24, and 29, across all sections of SAM 136 will be at least 3.50
Finding
Resources Use Results
Mean scores across all SAM 136 sections: Question 21: 4.03; Question 23: 4.20; Question 24: 4.05; and Question 29: 4.15. The weakest area was Question 21, which addressed gaining factual knowledge (terminology, classifications, methods, trends).
Indicator
Course Syllabi
The template for the course syllabi will indicate that students are presented with information on applying course materials, developing oral and writing skills, developing personal values, and finding and using resources.
Criterion
Course Syllabi
The learning objective for applying course materials, developing oral and writing skills, developing personal values, and finding and using resources will be included on the syllabus template from which all course syllabi are taken.
Finding
Learning Objective Included
The learning objectives on applying course materials, developing oral and writing skills, developing personal values, and finding and using resources are included on the syllabus template. This does not give us any information on whether this assesses SAM 136 effectiveness. As in the previous finding, developing personal values appears to be an area that is weaker than others.
Action
Resource Use Intervention
The lowest rating here can be remedied by requiring students to conduct more research to use resources and critique factual knowledge, which will make them better consumers of research. For instance, researching whether claims made over mass communication channels is accurate and researching ploys to lure consumers into buying products would be one avenue to address this issue.
Action
Learning Objective Included
Continue to include learning objectives on course syllabi. Since this indicator does not give us specific information regarding the effectiveness of SAM 136 courses, this indicator will not be used next year.
Goal
Retention, Persistence, Graduation Rates, & Grade Point Average
Students who enroll in SAM 136 have shown longitudinally to be more at risk than the overall entering first-year students. SAM 136 students will be retained, persist, and graduate at similar levels to the overall cohort. Their GPAs will be at similar levels.
Objective
One-Year Retention
SAM 136 students will be retained at similar level as the overall cohort.
Indicator
Institutional Research Report On First-Year Student Cohort & URRS Report
Institutional Research Report indicates one-year retention rates and persistence rates. The URRS Report uses the Risk-Adjusted Retention Indicator (RARI) to make adjustments in retention and persistence reflecting at-risk students.
Criterion
One-Year Retention Rates
The one-year retention rate of the current SAM 136 cohort will be similar to the one-year retention rate of the overall first-year cohort.
Finding
One-Year Retention Rates
Fall 2009
SAM 136 - 68%
Overall Freshman - 71%
Action
One-Year Retention Rates
The SAM 136 retention rate is similar, but a little lower than the overall freshman retention rate. It should be noted that 71% of the students in SAM 136 were PREP students and therefore considered to be at-risk. We will continue to research why the retention rate was lower and look into ways to improve. One instructor from Fall 2009 has been keeping in touch with all students by email several times a semester. That particular class has a 76% retention rate. We will emphasize the importance of the continued contact between the SAM 136 instructor and the students. We will also look at the incoming statistics to see if this class was at risk in other ways besides just being a PREP student.
Objective
2nd & 3rd Year Persistence Rates
SAM 136 students will persist at similar level as the overall cohort.
Indicator
Institutional Research Report Regarding First-Year Student Cohort & URRS Report
Institutional Research Report indicates one-year retention rates and persistence rates. The URRS Report uses the Risk-Adjusted Retention Indicator (RARI) to make adjustments in retention and persistence reflecting at-risk students.
Criterion
Persistence Rates
The persistence rates for SAM 136 cohorts will be similar to the persistence rates of the overall cohorts.
Finding
Persistence Rates
Fall 2008 - Two-Year Persistence Rate
SAM 136 - 61%
Overall Cohort - 62%
Fall 2007 - Three Year Persistence Rates
SAM 136 - 52%
Overall Cohort - 55%
Action
Persistence Rates
The two-year persistence rates of the SAM 136 students who are at risk and the overall freshman cohort are similar. We will continue to do as we have and the instructor who has kept contact with her students will continue to compare her persistence rates with the overall cohort. We will encourage other SAM 136 instructors to do the same.
Objective
Graduation Rates
SAM 136 students will graduate at similar levels as the overall cohort.
Indicator
Institutional Research Report On First-Year Student Cohort
Institutional Research Report indicates grade point averages and four, five, and six year graduation rates.
Criterion
Graduation Rates
The graduation rates for SAM 136 cohorts will be similar to the graduation rates of the overall cohorts.
Finding
Graduation Rates
Fall, 2004 - Six-Year Graduation Rates SAM 136 - 46%
Overall Cohort - 50%
Action
Graduation Rates
This is the first year that we have six-year graduation rates. We will continue to study this longitudinally for trends and to research ways to increase this rate.
Objective
Grade Point Average
SAM 136 students will have similar GPAs as the overall cohort.
Indicator
Institutional Research Report Regarding First-Year Student Cohort
Institutional Research Report indicates grade point averages and four, five, and six year graduation rates. It also provides information regarding GPAs.
Criterion
Grade Point Averages
The GPAs for SAM 136 cohorts will be similar to the GPAs of the overall cohorts.
Finding
GPAs
Fall2009
SAM 136 - 2.38
Overall Cohort - 2.61
Action
GPAs
The SAM 136 GPA is concerning. We will look over the particular variables to see if we can see if this group of students was even more at-risk than previous cohorts or if we have changed something in our teaching methods. We did change to a new textbook for the SAM 136 course nd this may have caused the course to not be as effective. We will research this further and make the needed changes.