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Improvement Practices -Supplemental Instruction/Paired lab with classes (Fort Valley State University-2023)

Strategy/Project Name: 
Improvement Practices -Supplemental Instruction/Paired lab with classes
Momentum Area: 
Change Management
Strategy/Project Description: 

New Idea: Supplemental Instruction/Tutoring Subject with adjacent lab

Supplemental Instruction (SI) consists of weekly peer facilitated study sessions for students to review course material outside of the classroom. SI also gives students a chance to meet others in the class, compare notes, discuss important concepts, and review the material to enhance class performance. During each of the sessions, the SI Leaders will provide study strategies for note taking, organization, and test preparation. They also will lead discussions over the lecture material and notes to review and better prepare the students for success in the class. Only students who have recently taken the classes and who are recommended by faculty are hired for the SI Leader positions. They also must attend the SI Leader Training prior to the start of the semester and must attend several trainings throughout the semester. To prepare for the sessions, the SI Leaders will be present for all lectures, as well as take notes, read, and complete all assigned material for the class.  We are looking to train students to provide supplemental instruction for students in selected courses by adding a paired lab with identified courses.

Activity Status: 
Evaluation/Assessment plan: 

Evaluation/Assessment plan: In reviewing the data, we looked at the DFW rates from Fall 2022 – Spring 2023.  We prioritized looking at classes that had a 30% or higher DFW rate with high student attempts.  The following courses had the highest DFW rates overall. The majority of these courses are taken by Freshmen and Sophomores.

College Algebra, Math Modeling, Composition 1, and General Psychology.  (Other subjects may be reviewed in this pilot) The research shows that students who attend SI sessions are more likely to have a higher grade in the course than those who do not.   The Office of Academic Affairs would like to begin studying the process of providing a paired lab with classes that have high DFW rates.

Evaluation Plan and measures: Review the past three years of data.  Review placement score data of students in these courses.  Provide pre and post tests for students to identify their competencies and readiness. 

KPIs:  This will be a pilot initiative; therefore, this will be our baseline year. Data Comparison after the pilot is to review the DFW rates of the selected courses against the past rates, however, this initiative will have to be repeated to truly assess its effectiveness.

Baseline measure (for each KPI): This will be the baseline year

Current/most recent data (for each KPI) [NEW for 2023]:

Goal or targets (for each KPI):  Review the data, make decisions on courses to pilot in this initiative, review course design.

Time period/duration: Spring 2024/Fall 2024

Progress and Adjustments: 

We are studying and looking to create a pilot plan for this initiative.

Plan for the Year Ahead: 
  1. Review the DFW data for the past three years.
  2. Identify the courses for paired labs.
  3. Review course design to include the labs.
  4. Establish training for SI leaders and Faculty.
  5. Develop a tracking system to evaluate attendance and early alerts in the paired labs.
  6. Evaluate the DFW rates in comparison to the past data.
Challenges and Support: 

There is a technical component to this initiative that will have to be built out in Banner.

Primary Contact: 
Dr. Olufunke Fontenot/Latosha Baldwin