UK STEM Conference, February 19, 2010

An Equal Opportunity University

Transitions from High School to

the University of Kentucky

Mike MullenAssociate Provost for

Undergraduate Education


Objectives

• Placement strategies in place for math, English and reading

• New emphasis on science readiness in transitions from high school to college introductory science courses

• Student success in general at UK and in introductory science courses


Kentucky’s Flagship

• Most comprehensive research university in Commonwealth

• 27,000 students (70% undergrads)

• Diverse student population


UK’s Areas of Excellence• Health care sciences• Digital and

nanotechnologies• Environmental and

energy studies• Plant bioengineering• Public policy• Undergraduate research


What does it take to succeed at UK?

UK RETENTION STUDIES

Half of all students who fail to earn a bachelor’s degree drop out during or just after first year

80.33% 2008 retention rate UK has highest retention/graduation rates in KY



Retention rates highly correlate to: • Student expectations of college life

– Studying outside of class– Work hours per week– Social life on campus or other college engagement

activities/events

• Student perception of UK as a “good fit”



STUDENT EXPECTATIONS VS. REALITY• 3.5 HS GPA will mean 2.7 at UK

• 65% think they will graduate in four years– 30% actually do

• 78% say they studied less than 5 hours/week in high school– 63% freshmen say they study more than 5 hours/week



2004 Phone Survey of First-Years Not Returning



• 48.5% of first-year students who did not return in 2005 had earned a 2.0 or higher UK GPA

• Half of UK’s first-year students from the 2002 cohort who did not return had enrolled in another KY institution



First year students who passed all their classes at UK tended to have:

– High school GPAs of 3.5 and above– Took AP courses in high school– Studied 10+ hrs/week during their HS senior year– Identified with being a good student– Self-reported a “drive to achieve”



UK RETENTION STUDIES POINT TO IMPORTANCE OF STRONG GRADES OVER ALL IN HIGH SCHOOL

• Students with 3.5+ HS GPA and 20+ ACT– Retention after first year = 80%-90%– Graduation within 6 years = 61-75%

• Students with less than 3.5 HS GPA or <20 ACT– Retention after first year = 61%-70%– Graduation within 6 years = 39-49%


First Year Student ProfileFor UK's first-year students entering in 2008, the mid-50 percent* ranges were:

• ACT Composite: 22 - 27 • SAT I Total: 1020 - 1230 • High School Grade Point Average (GPA): 3.2-3.8

* "mid-50 percent" means that 25% of the cohort was above the top scores and 25% were below the lower score


First Year Student Profile

Head-

count

Of Color

Female

STEM Major

Starting in

Under-gradua

te Studies

Students in Fall 2008

4079 15.7% 51.2% 26.1% 23.9%


First Year Student Profile

Fall 2008 cohort majors

Fall ‘08 Fall ‘09% retained

at UK

In STEM discipline

1,064 867 81.48%

Not in STEM discipline

3,015 2,408 79.97%


Barriers to Success

• Too close to home and not getting involved at UK

• Keeping same work hours/job as in high school

• Low ACT mathematics sub-scores

• Low HS GPA and live off campus during first year

• Display lack of curiosity or critical inquiry skills


Barriers to SuccessUncertainty for success in intro sciences courses

Fall ‘08 courses 50% FY

# First Year

students

Avg # per

class

Avg # FYs per class

% Rate D, E, W grades

CS 115 209(of 324)

24.9 17.4 38.76%

CHE 105 1,353(of 1,843)

263 193 32.08%


Barriers to SuccessUncertainty for success in intro sciences courses

Fall ‘08 courses 50% FY

# First Year

students

Avg # per

class

Avg # FYs per class

% Rate D, E, W grades

ANA 109 355(of 431)

215.5 177.5 19.44%

MA 113 509(of 804)

33.5 21.2 38.90%


What can we do about it?

Together, KY high schools and UK can…