Transcript Engaging Community Colleges A First Look
Am I Ready for College?
Is the College Ready for Me?
Achieving the Dream Strategy Institute 2011
Kay McClenney Director Center for Community College Student Engagement (CCCSE)
Arleen Arnsparger Project Manager Initiative on Student Success Center for Community College Student Engagement (CCCSE)
Center for Community College Student Engagement
Entering students are highly motivated, are committed to achieving their academic goals, and sincerely believe they will.
Center for Community College Student Engagement
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.
Center for Community College Student Engagement
Welcome to college!
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Welcome to college!
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We wear them down!
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85%
…of new students responding to the SENSE survey say they’re academically prepared for college.
Center for Community College Student Engagement
I thought I was ready…
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Students don’t know what they don’t know…
but we think they should!
Center for Community College Student Engagement
50%
…of our students leave before the start of their second year.
Center for Community College Student Engagement
Helping students succeed through the equivalent of the first semester (12 –15 credit hours) can dramatically improve subsequent success rates.
Center for Community College Student Engagement
Center for Community College Student Engagement
Quantitative
CCSSE
CCFSSE
SENSE
Qualitative
Initiative on Student Success / Starting Right
Center for Community College Student Engagement
Survey of Entering Student Engagement
(SENSE) & Starting Right:
Listening to Entering Students
Center for Community College Student Engagement
SENSE & Starting Right: Listening to Entering Students
4 years 232 colleges Represents 1.6 million students 37 states, District of Columbia, Marshall Islands, Mariana Islands Focus Groups
Measuring Student Engagement
…the amount of time and energy students invest in meaningful educational practices
What we’re learning about student engagement:
It’s unlikely to happen by accident. It has to happen
by design.
SENSE focuses on…
• Early Connections • High Expectations and Aspirations • Clear Academic Plan and Pathway • Effective Track to College Readiness • Engaged Learning • Academic and Social Support Network Center for Community College Student Engagement
What entering students are telling us:
During their first 3 weeks…
•
Almost 30% didn’t really feel welcome.
•
Fewer than half participated in on campus orientation.
Personal Connections Entering Students ’ First Impressions of Their Colleges
The very first time I came to this college, I felt welcome.
0.9
2 17.2
Strongly Agree Agree
34.6
No Opinion Disagree
42.7
Strongly Disagree Center for Community College Student Engagement
Orientation
Part-Time
45 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 25.2
25.6
38.3
38.6
30.4
27.6
5.6
6.9
Online 1.4
2.4
On-Campus Orientation Course (part of course schedule) Unable to participate (scheduling issues) Not aware of orientation
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Getting Started
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Getting Started
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Discussion Questions - Orientation 1. Is it mandatory? For whom?
2. What does your college data show about the impact of orientation on student persistence and first term academic success?
3. What are you doing to bring it to scale?
Center for Community College Student Engagement
What entering students are telling us:
During their first 3 weeks…
•
Fewer than one-quarter enrolled in a class designed to teach them the skills needed to succeed in college.
Student Success Classes Lead to… Student Success!
•
Houston Community College System
•
Florida Community Colleges
Creating an On-Ramp to College
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Discussion Questions – Student Success Courses 1. Is it mandatory? For whom?
2. What does your college data show about the impact of student success courses on student persistence and first term academic success?
3. What are you doing to bring it to scale?
Center for Community College Student Engagement
What entering students are telling us:
• • • •
During their first 3 weeks… 70% said an advisor helped them pick classes.
Fewer than 60% said an advisor helped them select a major or program.
Fewer than 40% said an advisor helped them set academic goals and create a plan for achieving those goals.
Only 26% said a college staff member talked with them about balancing school with other commitments.
What do students say is the most important college service?
Academic Advising & Planning
Center for Community College Student Engagement
Please advise me!
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What’s my plan?
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Discussion Questions – Academic Planning 1. Is it mandatory? For whom?
2. What does your college data show about the impact of academic planning on student persistence and first term academic success?
3. What are you doing to bring it to scale?
Center for Community College Student Engagement
Next Steps 1. Mandatory orientation?
1. Mandatory Student Success Courses?
2. Mandatory Academic Planning?
Center for Community College Student Engagement
Tools to Help You www.cccsse.org
Examples from Member Colleges Student Focus Group Toolkit (can be adapted for faculty and staff focus groups) Video clips Accreditation toolkit
Center for Community College Student Engagement
The Road to College Completion!
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