Students Speak Are We Listening?

AACC2012

Am I Ready for College?

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I Have a Goal!

On the SENSE survey, entering students say…

79% want to obtain an associate degree.

73% want to transfer to a four-year institution.

59% want to complete a certificate program.

85%

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

75% of new students responding to the

SENSE survey learned that they are not ready for college-level courses that require skills in reading, writing and/or math.

48% drop out by the start of their second year.

Only 45% have completed a certificate or degree, transferred or are still enrolled after 6 years.

Students Speak

Bringing data alive

through student voices…

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What did you hear?

About “front door” experiences?

About learning and teaching?

About support for students?

About what makes a difference for students?

David Conley, Distinguished Professor, University of Oregon:

“Nobody manages the transition very well.  For most institutions of higher education, it isn't a transition at all.  The student just shows up…there is very little process or systematic thought for what is going on for the student in terms of all the dimensions that are required to make that transition.” 

SENSE Benchmarks for Effective Educational Practice

• Early Connections• High Expectations & Aspirations• Clear Academic Plan & Pathway• Effective Track to College

Readiness• Engaged Learning• Academic & Social Support Network

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Design Principles for Effective Practice

A strong start Clear, coherent pathways Integrated support High expectations and

high support Intensive, intentional

support Design for scale

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Promising Practices for Community College Student Success

Planning for Success– Assessment and Placement– Orientation– Academic Goal Setting and Planning– Registration before Classes Begin

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Structured Group Learning Experiences – Promising Practices

Orientation Accelerated / Fast-track developmental

education First-year experience Student success course Learning community

What entering community college students are telling us:

• Less than half participated in orientation.

SENSE 2011 Cohort Data

45% …of entering community college

students say they never saw an advisor during their first three weeks.

SENSE 2011 Cohort Data

Younger students are less likely to…

Use academic advising and planningThey ask their friends what to do…

54% vs. 42% for older students

CCSSE 2011 Cohort Data

What entering community college students are telling us:

27% enrolled in a class designed to teach

them the skills needed to succeed in college.

SENSE 2011 Cohort Data

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Group Discussion

What practices are in place at your college? What is mandatory? For whom? What have you brought to scale? What do your data show?

Registration before classes begin? Academic goal-setting and planning? Orientation? Student success course? First-year experience?

Houston Community College Student Success Class

Fall to spring persistence increased for all groups except Asian students, which remained constant at 78%. Largest gain has been for African American students – from 69% to 75%.

Community College Survey of Student Engagement

82%

76%

74%

70% 75% 80% 85%

C-E Dev LC

Dev LC

Stand Alone

Skagit Valley College 2007 Fall Pilot Fall-Winter Persistence

Zane State Mandatory testing & placement, mandatory orientation, mandatory FYE course, mandatory advising for at-risk students

3-year mandatory FYE course associated with 10% increase in fall-to-fall persistence.

3-year graduation rate for developmental students now exceeds 50%.

Survey of Student Engagement

What Matters Most for Student Success?

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?

What does this mean for community college leaders?

• Create an “on-ramp” to college life.• Show students the relevance of what they’re

doing – help them understand the “what” and the “why.”

• Make everything more personal – show them we care!

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

High Performing Colleges

…make student engagement

inescapable!

Imagine Success!

Inescapable…

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Kay McClenney

Director

Center for Community College Student Engagement

Arleen Arnsparger,

Project Manager

Initiative on Student Success