OATdb Archive - Sam Houston State University

OATdb Archive

2012 - 2013

Student Success Initiatives

Goal

Provide An Effective Academic Learning Community (LC) Program

Residential and non-residential learning communities will demonstrate similar or higher academic success.

Objective

Grade Point Average (GPA) Similarities

Students who participate in either a residential or non-residential academic freshman learning community program will earn GPAs at the same or higher levels than their First Time Freshman (FTF) cohort peers.

KPI

GPA Similarities

LC students will be compared to FTF peers with respect to mean GPAs. Students who participate in either a residential or non-residential academic freshman learning community program will earn GPAs at the same or higher levels than their FTF freshman cohort peers.

Result

First-Year Experience GPA LC & Non-LC Results

Institutional Research Report on First-Year Student Cohort

Institutional Research Report indicates Grade Point Averages (GPAs). Our standard for success in comparable results for First-Year Learning Community students and for those in the overall first-year cohort.

First-Year Experience Results

Grade Point Average (GPA) 2012-2013 Comparison

BLC = 2.608

FLC= 2.652

Non BLC/FLC = 2.561

Overall freshman= 2.569

KPI

Program Assessment Report

SHSU Institutional Research reported on the 20th class day of fall 2013 semester for 2012-2013 First-time freshman cohort will service as evidence of the completion of this objective.

Result

IR Reports

IR reports will be avaialbe after the 20th class day each year and will be reported as soon as recieved.

Action

Fall 2012 - Fall 2013 GPAs Will Be Added After The 12th Class

Fall 2012-Fall 2013 GPAs for students in both residential and non-residential learning communities were reported as higher than GPAs for students who did not participate in Learning Communities. Though the results indicate a high level of effectiveness on student learning, we will add additional study skills and increase in the number of UNIV 1301 student participation in the BLC for improved results next year.

Objective

Rention Of LC Members

Students participating in either a residential or non-residential academic freshman learning community program will be retained at higher levels than their FTF freshman cohort peers.

KPI

Retention Of LC Members

LC students will be compared to FTF peer cohort with respect retention fall to fall. Students participating in either a residential or non-residential academic freshman learning community program will be retained at higher levels than their FTF freshman cohort peers.

Result

Retention Assessment Results

First-Year Experience Results

Retention Percentages for freshman enrolled in fall 2012 - to fall 2013 Comparison

BLC = 78%

FLC= 77%

Non BLC/FLC = 77%

Overall freshman cohort = 77%

Action

Increased Programming For LC Students

To continue our efforts in building cohort cohesiveness and we will increase meaningful Service Learning projects and other out-of class faculty/student programming for LC students.

In addition, the First-Year Experience office will investigate research-based alternative methods for improving retention of our student population.

Moreover, we will design our LC recruitment efforts to expand the number of learning communities to serve more students.

Goal

Provide An Effective Freshman College Success Course

SHSU will provide freshman with a course designed to help freshmen develop skills necessary for college success.

Objective

GPA Comparability

Students who complete a UNIV 1301: An Introduction to Collegiate Studies course will earn GPAs at the same or higher levels than their FTF freshman cohort peers.

KPI

Similar GPAs Between UNIV 1301 And Remaining FTF Cohort Peers

UNIV 1301 students will be compared to FTF peers with respect to mean GPA’s. Students who complete a UNIV 1301 course will earn GPAs at the same or higher levels than their FTF freshman cohort peers.

Result

GPA Comparison Between UNIV 1301 Students And Non-UNIV 1301 Students

UNIV 1301 Freshman College Success Course Results

Grade Point Average (GPA) 2012-2013 Comparison

GPA for students who completed UNIV 1301 College Success course = 2.525

GPA for students who did not complete UNIV 1301 College Success course = 2.581

Overall freshman= 2.569

Action

Student Needs Assessment

54% of students who participated in this class were required to do so under the SHSU PREP program. PREP student SAT or class rank fell slightly below the college admissions requirements, and as such, these students were required to take this class. To better serve the student population the Student Success Initiatives office will report college-readiness indicators of both groups to look for gaps in learning and address these issues.
Moreover, the Student Success Initiatives office will conduct a review to address where the gaps in pre-college learning most occurred and will consider infusing curriculum into the course that addresses these issues.

Objective

Retention Similarity

Students who complete a UNIV 1301: An Introduction to Collegiate Studies course will be retained at higher levels than their FTF freshman cohort peers.

KPI

Similarity In Retention

UNIV 1301 students will be compared to FTF peer cohort with respect retention fall to fall. Students who complete a UNIV 1301 course will be retained at higher levels than their FTF freshman cohort peers.

Result

2012-2013 Retention Comparison Result

Fall 2012 to fall 2013 1-year Retention Percentages for freshman enrolled in UNIV 1301 and not enrolled in UNIV 1301

UNIV 1301 = 76%

Non- UNIV 1301 = 78%

Composite freshman cohort = 77%

Action

Retention Initiative For PREP Students

54% of students who participated in this class were required to due to the fact that SAT/ACT or class rank fell slightly below the college admissions requirements, and as such, traditionally have lower GPA’s. To better serve the student population the Student Success Initiatives office will report college-readiness indicators of both groups to look for gaps in learning and address these issues.
While these students are being retained at a respectable level (76%) more needs to be done to engage these learners to encourage retention at levels similar to their peers. Additional service learning and civic engagement activies will be explored and implemented. Second semester interventions will also be explored.

Update to previous cycle's plan for continuous improvement

New measure of success that more clearly delineate and define outcomes were undertaken as outlined in the previous cycle's improvement plan, namely:

a) Retention and GPA were tracked and reported for the UNIV 1301 and the learning community programs,

b) Partnership with the Orientation program provided for increased exposure to new students resulting in a larger number of LC students in the LC program.

c) Increased partnerships with Career Services yielded a stronger emphasis in the UNIV 1301 curriculum on choice of college majors, and matching careers with majors.

d) SAM center advisors were provided easier access to information regarding our programs and we began updating the advising screens with PREP information.

e) LC Coordinator was hired to focus on expanding opportunities for the evidence-based success of students who participate in these academic learning structures.

Plan for continuous improvement Based upon the results from the 2012-2013 assessment, a number of action items will be addressed in the 2013-2014 cycle to promote academic success and retention.

Incorporate credit-bearing UNIV 1301 college success courses into the common core curriculum.
Recruit, develop, and retain high quality instructors.
Increase student participation in credit-bearing UNIV 1301 courses via collaboration with the SAM Center and other campus stakeholders.
Expand opportunities for linked course offerings in academic, themed, and major-based learning communities that include UNIV 1301.
Expand residential learning community programs with linked course offerings for Bearkat Learning Community and for academic major-based freshmen interest groups.
Provide support to new SHSU PREP students through a supportive communication plan and participation in UNIV 1301 and/or learning communities and study skills.