Transcript Astin and Graduation Rates

Strategies for
Retention and Graduation
Dr. David G. Underwood
Arkansas Tech University
Friday, October 8, 2010
Russellville, AR
ACTEB 60th Annual Meeting
Characteristics of Arkansas & ATU Students
Fall 2009 – Public 4 Year Schools – First Time Students
All
Math Remediation
English Remediation
Reading Remediation
Remediation in One or More Area
32.0%
22.1%
20.5%
39.1%
ATU Students are very similar in terms of remediation.
In addition, approximately 57% are first generation
college students and 42.9% receive Pell Grants — a
recognized indicator of need.
ATU
27.2
19.6
16.5
34.5
Conceptual Framework for
Retention Programs at ATU
Astin’s IEO Model
I a Inputs
(Characteristics of Incoming
Students)
+
E a Environment
(Programs, Services, & People at
Institution)
=
O a Outcome
(Student Characteristics after
Exposure to Institutional
Environment)
Common Characteristics of Institutions with High
Graduation Rates for Low Income Students
The Pell Institute for the Study of Opportunity in Higher Education, Dec. 2004
Intentional academic planning (Intrusive Advising)
Small classes (17.8 to 1 Faculty Student Ratio)
Special programs (Bridge to Excellence, Early Warning)
Dedicated faculty
Educational innovation (Freshman Orientation Requirement, Summer
Compass Testing)
Developmental education
Geographic Isolation
Residential life (Requiring Freshmen to Live on Campus)
Shared values
Modest selectivity
Financial aid - high achievers (Federal, State & Institutional Aid)
Retention policy (Explicit Concern with Retention & Graduation Rates)
The Appeal of the “Quick Fix”
“…effective retention calls for the sustained effort on
the part of all institutional members to give to each
and every student serious and honest attention on a
daily basis. It requires, if you will, a continuing
commitment to the education of students. No
technology, however sophisticated, can replace that
sort of commitment.” (Tinto, V., 1987, p. 176)
Tinto, V. (1987) Leaving College: Rethinking the Causes and Cures of Student Attrition.
The University of Chicago Press: Chicago, IL.
ATU Retention Initiatives
• Bridge to Excellence
• Early Warning
• CSP 1013
• TECH 1001
• Summer Compass Testing
• Student Support Services
Bridge to Excellence
Dr. Gary Biller, VP Student Services
 Provide Students with Faculty/Staff Mentor
 Students Take Noel-Levitz’s College Student
Inventory (CSI TM)
 Mentors Meet with Students Early in First
Semester to Establish Point of Contact and
Targeted Assistance (Referrals)
 Mentors Follow-Up with Students as Needed
 Heightens Campus Awareness
Bridge to Excellence –
Why It Works
Mentors are the Key Factor
Provide What Students Need to Be Successful
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Support
Understanding
Positive Role Models
Guidance
A Single Point of Contact
Referrals to Campus Resources
A Sense of Connection and Commitment
Early Warning – Academic Advising
Ms. Linda Clarke, Director
• Intrusive Advising
• Faculty Report Students
Excessive Absences
Poor Performance
• Academic Advising Contacts Students,
Provides Assistance, and Reports back to
the Faculty
Early Warning – Why It Works
Advisors are the Key Factor
Intervene When Students Need It
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Guidance
A Point of Contact
Referrals to Campus Resources
A Sense of Connection and Commitment
CSP 1013 – Principles of Collegiate Success
Dr. Susan Underwood, CSP Department Head
 Developed as Graduate Class Project
 Transition Class – Not Orientation or Remediation
 Based on Research of Successful Students
Expected to Model Successful Behaviors
• Attend, Participate, Be Organized, Take Effective Notes, etc.
 Designed as Peer Education with
Graduate Students Teaching
CSP 1013 – Principles of Collegiate Success
Why It Works
Teaching Successful Behaviors is Key Factor
Provide What Students Need to Be Successful
• Teaches how to study smarter
• Helps students develop more effective study, exam,
note taking, reading, and writing skills
• Teaches time and task management
• Provides skills in setting academic and career goals
• Helps students understand personal
responsibility
TECH 1001– Orientation to University
Dr. Beth Giroir, Coordinator
 Created as a result of a University-wide initiative to
require undergraduate students to complete an
orientation-type course prior to graduation
 Course taught by tenured/tenure-track professors
 Course covers topics in the areas relating to:
• University familiarity
• Study skill development
• Personal development
TECH 1001– Orientation to University
Why It Works
Tenured/Tenure Track Faculty is Key Factor
• Exposes students early on to the resources available
to be successful (Library, OneTech, Banner, etc.)
• Teaches students about, and how to implement,
good study skills
• Provides information about Arkansas Tech in the
areas of history, academic advising, and student
involvement
• Assists students with personal development in
areas such as: Relationships, Diversity, Money
Management, etc.
Summer Compass Testing
Ms. Shauna Donnell, Assistant Vice
President of Enrollment Management
 Created to provide students with less than 19 on
ACT in Math, Reading, Writing an opportunity to
“test out of remediation”
 Eligible students have up to 3 attempts to better
their score
 Provided free to students
 Taken online in the Advising Center with
immediate results
Summer Compass Testing
Why It Works
Eliminate Remediation for Successful Students
• Frees up faculty resources from remediation to college
credit course load
• Eliminates the expense for students in taking noncollege credit coursework
• Boosts morale of students
• Immediate results enables advisors to rework student
schedules
• Results: Math 36, Reading 48, Writing 58
Student Support Services
Federal Grant -- part of the TRIO program -- Will serve
140 students from low income, first generation, and/or
disabled students
• Will provide academic tutoring
• Assistance in completing financial aid applications
• Educational or counseling services designed to improve
financial and economic literacy
• Assist students in applying for admission to graduate and
professional programs
• Assist students in 2 Yr institutions in applying to, and
obtaining financial assistance from, 4 Yr institutions
Questions?