Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College2015--Milestones/indicators in programs

High-Impact Strategy

Establish milestones as part of program maps to facilitate defining when students are ‘off track.’

Related Goal

Goal 4: Provide intrusive advising to keep students on track to graduate

Summary of Activities

We have instituted a checkpoint to help students know when they are ‘off-track’: Academic Support Counselors (ASCs) check all baccalaureate-degree-seeking students at 90 hours to establish that they are on track to graduate on time, using such factors as RHSC deficiencies remaining, completion of the Core Curriculum, on track to meet residency requirement, curriculum completion on track, legislative requirements met, and meeting minimum GPA requirement for graduation.  ASCs compile a list of these students and send information to their academic advisors and to the dean of the school in which the student is advised.   The ASCs also follow up with the students who are identified as ‘off-track’ to assist them in getting on track for OT graduation.

Baseline Status

The first 90-hour check was performed spring 2015. That check revealed that 62 baccalaureate-degree-seeking students were off-track to graduate on time.

Interim Measures of Progress

Since we implemented this strategy in spring 2015, interim measures of progress will not be known until spring 2016, when these students should graduate. Progress made thus far is the identification of the students and actions taken by ASCs and advisors to get students on track.

Measures of Success

At least ½ the number of students, who are identified as being off-track at 90 hours, will graduate within 30 credit hours.

Projected target:  31 of the 62 baccalaureate-degree-seeking students who were off-track at the 90-hour check mark in spring 2015 will graduate within 30 credit hours.   

Increase the number of baccalaureate-degree-seeking students who graduate OT.

Projected target:  40 baccalaureate-degree-seeking students from the fall 2012 cohort will graduate on time.

Lessons Learned

We were surprised by the number of students who had reached the 90-hour mark without completing RHSC deficiencies and/or the Core Curriculum. Therefore, the ASCs are adding another checkpoint at 30 earned hours to check for completion of RHSC deficiencies and Area A of the Core. When students are found deficient, they will register them for the required course(s) the following semester. Advisors will also be notified so they can help insure that students do not withdraw from the required classes.