nisod 2011 student success – from the starting gate to the finish line

NISOD 2011

Student Success – From the Starting Gate to the Finish Line

Center for Community College Student EngagementI

I’m Ready for College!

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Center for Community College Student Engagement

Quantitative

CCSSE

CCFSSE

SENSE

Qualitative

Initiative on Student Success / Starting Right


CCSSE: Listening to Students9 years

754 colleges

Almost 2 million students

49 states, Bermuda, British Columbia, Northern Marianas, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec, Marshall Islands

SENSE & Starting Right: Listening to Entering Students4 years

232 colleges

Represents 1.6 million students

37 states, District of Columbia, Marshall Islands, Mariana Islands

124 Focus Groups & 70 Interviews

Entering students are highly motivated, are committed to achieving their academic goals, and sincerely believe they will.


90%…of new students responding to the SENSE survey say they believe they have the motivation to do what it takes to succeed in college.



Why College?

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Welcome to college!

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We wear them down!

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We expect them to understand…

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Students don’t know what they don’t know…

but we think they should…and we behave as though they do!


The students in our focus groups who reported the best experience registering at their college had something in common.

What was it?


What entering students are telling us:During their first 3 weeks…

• Fewer than half participated in on-campus orientation.

85%…of new students responding to the SENSE survey say they’re academically prepared for college.



I Think I’m Ready…

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Based on placement tests entering students report:

75% of students surveyed placed into at least one developmental class.

13% needed remediation in all 3 areas


During the first 3 weeks of college…

• 43% came to class unprepared at least once.

• More than one-quarter of students skipped class at least once.

• Almost one-quarter did not turn in an assignment at least once.



Falling behind…

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…of our students leave before the start of their second year.

50%


Helping students succeed through the equivalent of the first semester (12–15 credit hours) can dramatically improve subsequent success rates.

Helping students complete their first developmental course can dramatically improve subsequent success rates.

In your role at the college, what do you think makes the most significant impact on student success?

How do you know?



What do students say is the most important college service?

Academic Advising & Planning90%


Yet…

46% …say they never saw an advisor

(or really aren’t sure…)


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Younger students are less likely to…

• Use academic advising/planning • Seek career counseling• Seek financial aid advising


Engaging students in their learning…

• More than 30% asked questions in class or contributed to discussion only once or NEVER

• Almost half worked with other students in class once or NEVER


It’s about good teaching…

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During the 1st 3 weeks of class…

More than half (55%) of students responding to the SENSE survey said they received prompt feedback about their performance

once or NEVER

Do you know how you’re doing?

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I Need Help, But…

85% never met with a tutor.

94% never used online tutoring.

65% never went to the writing or math lab.

25% never asked an instructor for help.


I Need Help, But…

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Students don’t do optional!!



I’m Getting Help!

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Let’s Talk About…

The “M” Word

What Matters Most for Student Success?


Imagine Success!

Students Persist When They:• Are active & engaged learners

• Feel connected to the college

• Navigate successfully through college systems, processes and procedures

• Make a connection between now and their future (setting goals)

• Establish meaningful relationships with faculty, staff and peers

Some Observations about Entering Students

• Students experience culture shock and academic shock.

• Students don’t know what they don’t know…but we expect them to!

• You have to ask to be told…but what if you don’t know what to ask?


Observations about Entering Students

• Orientation is necessary…and students want to meet faculty and other students before classes start.

• Students don’t consider it “advising” when someone simply helps them sign up for class.

• Students feel disconnected. “They didn’t notice me when I got here, they didn’t notice me when I left.”


What does this mean for us?

• Create an “on-ramp” to college life.

• Streamline registration – help students understand the “what” and the “why.”

• Make everything more personal – show them we care!

• If we know what students need – make it mandatory!


Questions to consider:

• What is one change the college could make that you believe would have a significant impact on improving student success?

• What is one change you could make?


High Performing Colleges

…make student engagement

inescapable!

Imagine Success!


Inescapable learning…

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Tools to Help You www.cccsse.org

Examples from Member Colleges

Course feedback and class observation forms

Student Focus Group Toolkit (can be adapted for faculty and staff focus groups)

Video clips

Accreditation toolkit

Survey special-focus modules


For more information:

Arleen Arnsparger

Project Manager Initiative on Student Success Center for Community College Student Engagement (CCCSE)

[email protected]

nisod 2011 student success – from the starting gate to the finish line

Documents

student learning

ccsse survey

ccsse cohort

ccsse work

community college students

student success

student behaviors

student groups