Student Success – From the Starting Gate to the Finish Line Education Trust, November 2011

Student Success –From the Starting Gate to the Finish Line

Education Trust, November 2011

Through the Survey of Entering Student Engagement (SENSE) and Starting Right focus groups, community college students – and high school students -- tell their stories…

90%…of new students responding to the Survey of Entering Student Engagement say they believe they have the motivation to do what it takes to succeed in college.

Center for Community College Student Engagement

Center for Community College Student EngagementI

College, here I come!

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Where am I heading?


Next step – college!

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Looking ahead…what will college be like?


How will college be different?

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How will college be different?

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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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75% of students responding to the SENSE survey learned from the college placement tests that they are not ready for college-level courses that require skills in reading, writing or math.

And many are surprised…



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88%…of students responding to the MetLife Survey of the American Teacher: Preparing Students for College and Careers (2010) say they understand what they need to do to succeed in college. 44% of these students strongly agree that they do.



I think I’m ready…

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College classes bring new challenges…


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During the first 3 weeks of community college…

• 43% came to class unprepared at least once.

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

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


Younger community college students are more likely to…

• Turn in an assignment late• Not turn in an assignment• Come to class unprepared• Skip class


… of community college students leave before the start of their second year.

50%


Quantitative

CCSSE

CCFSSE

SENSE

Qualitative

Initiative on Student Success / Starting Right



The student’s journey begins…

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Welcome to college!

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We wear them down…

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

but college staff think they should…and 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 community college students are telling us:

• Fewer than half participated in orientation.


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Community college students say the most important college service is…

Academic Advising & Planning90%


Yet…

46% …of first term community college

students say they never saw an advisor

(or really aren’t sure…)

Planning for their future…

Younger students are less likely to…

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

54% vs. 42% for older students


But we gave them the info…

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Students don’t do optional!!



Students need orientation...

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

• 71% - advisor helped them pick classes.

• 60% - advisor helped them select a major or program.

• Fewer than 40% - advisor helped them set academic goals and create a plan for achieving those goals.

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I need a plan!

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What entering community college students are telling us:

• Fewer than one-quarter enrolled in a class designed to teach them the skills needed to succeed in college.


Creating an on-ramp to college…

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Student Success courses make a difference!

Students say: This course…

Helped me to be a better student: 63%

Helped me to feel more connected to the college: 51%

Should be mandatory for new students: 74%


Some students find the on-ramp to college while they are still in high school…


Creating an on-ramp to college…

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Let’s Talk About…

The “M” Word

The Heart of Student Success…

Teaching & Learning

On the SENSE survey, based on placement tests entering students report:

13% needed remediation in all 3 areas



Should I be in this class?

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What makes a class a good class? What’s happening in the class? What’s the teacher doing? What are students doing?


In high school, some didn’t expect enough…

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And then I came to college…

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I know when it’s a good class…

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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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Younger community college students are less likely to….

• Say they are getting prompt feedback from instructors about their progress – they’re looking for GRADES!


What’s my GRADE?

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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.

Younger community college students are less likely to…

• Go to a tutor• Go to math, English and computer

labs• Ask an instructor for help• Discuss an assignment or grade with

an instructor


In high school, I needed help…

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In college, I need help, but…

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Were you ready for college? They know the answer…right away…


Were you ready for college?

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Students know which high school experiences helped them prepare for college…


A different way to learn…

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High expectations…

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SENSE Benchmarks:Age: 18-24 25+

• Early Connections 51.3 vs. 51.9

• High expectations 48.0 vs. 57.2• Academic Plan 50.8 vs. 51.6 • Track to College Readiness 50.3 vs. 49.2

• Engaged Learning 49.3 vs. 52.8• Academic & Social Support 50.4 vs. 50.5

Some Observations about Entering Students – for Colleges

• 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.

• 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!


What does this mean for us?

• What can high schools communicate to colleges about needs and expectations of entering students?

• What can colleges communicate to high schools about expectations for new students?

• How can we work together to improve student success?


Collaborating to create change:

El Paso Community College

Significant Discussions


Students offer advice…

• For high schools…

• For other students…

• For their brothers & sisters…



Advice…

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Advice…

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Advice…

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Advice…

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Helping students succeed…

We know what to do.

We can do it.

We must do it.

Who promised us it would be easy?


For more information:

Arleen Arnsparger

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

www.cccse.org

Documents

Student Success – From the Starting Gate to the Finish Line Education Trust, November 2011