How to Build a Successful Multi-Campus SI Program

Transcription

1 How to Build a Successful Multi-Campus SI Program Nineteen Years of SI at: Jesse Rogers SI Supervisor, Palm Beach Gardens Steve Arterburn SI Supervisor, Lake Worth

2 Palm Beach State College at a Glance A four-year state college located in Palm Beach County, Florida. Four campuses: Lake Worth, Palm Beach Gardens, Boca Raton, and Belle Glade 47,922 students enrolled in (including fulltime, part-time, credit, and non-credit) Degrees offered: Associates, Bachelor s, plus numerous certificates and diplomas. President: Dennis P. Gallon, Ph.D. Palm Beach Community College became Palm Beach State College in 2010.

3 Belle Glade Palm Beach Gardens Lake Worth Boca Raton

4 Let s be thinking: How can we promote an atmosphere of cooperation among SI programs at multiple campuses of our colleges and universities?

5 A little history...

6 SI Begins at Palm Beach Community College in 1995 A $ grant funds 1 section of SI in Biology at the Lake Worth Campus. The college budget funds 1 section of SI in Biology at the Boca Raton Campus. The coordinators at both campuses had received UMKC SI supervisor training. The SI sections function independently of each other.

7 Communication between the two campuses SI programs was minimal.

8 Some Milestones 1995: SI begins at Lake Worth and Boca Raton Campuses 2000 : SI begins at Palm Beach Gardens Campus 2001: Online SI begins at Belle Glade Campus 2003: Palm Beach Community College participates in organizing and presenting at the Florida State SI Conference at Florida Gulf Coast University. 2010: SI District Advisory Committee Established 2012: First all-campus SI leader training, Putting Students in the Driver s Seat, is held at the Palm Beach Gardens Campus 2014: Second all-campus SI leader training, Coaching to Completion, is held at the Lake Worth Campus.

9 Have we encountered any headaches along the way? Sure we have! For example: When demand for SI exceeds resources such as space, or students available to do SI in a particular subject area. When someone unfamiliar with SI tries to use it for something it s not intended to be e.g., assistant teaching, or tutoring.

10 SI at Palm Beach State College Spring Semester SI Leaders 173 SI Sections More than 4000 students enrolled in SI-targeted classes 4 campuses: Lake Worth, Boca Raton, Palm Beach Gardens, Belle Glade Subject Areas: Math Social Science Nutrition Engineering Accounting Foreign Language Computer Science Others

11 How did we get from 1995 to where we are today?

12 8 Strengths 1. Buy-in and Support 2. SI as Part of Student Learning Center 3. Quality of SI Leaders 4. Documentation 5. Balance 6. Continuity of Relationships 7. SI at Center of College Initiatives 8. District Advisory Committee

13 1. Buy-in and Support Students SI leaders Faculty Administration

14 Rapid Rendezvous Do you feel your SI program has the buy-in and support it needs from your administration, students, SI leaders, and faculty? Why or why not?

15 Dr. Dennis Gallon President Palm Beach State College President s Message International SI Conference As an institution dedicated to open access and support for students, Palm Beach State invests heavily in providing a quality academic experience. While much of that investment focuses on course instruction and delivery, as educators we recognize that many students also need individualized, personal learning support outside of the classroom environment. That help is available at each of our campuses through the very important role of our Student Learning Centers, and specifically through Supplemental Instruction. Tutors, computerized learning tools and review materials help students get the most from their coursework. In addition, Supplemental Instruction, or SI, provides regular study sessions targeting courses identified as especially challenging for large numbers of students. The SI leaders are fellow students who already have successfully completed the targeted courses and who attend the same classes again, with the same instructors. For students in online courses, the study sessions take the form of chat room sessions with their SI leader. We believe the atmosphere of teamwork in SI provides an opportunity for participants to develop and strengthen the social bonds with one another in an academic context. This makes them more connected to the College and more likely to stay and complete their degrees. The effectiveness of the SI model is well established through research over the past 40 years. At our own institution, we have collected data over the past 20 years that is consistent with these studies. Students who participate in SI typically achieve passing rates that are 10 to 25 percent higher than those who don t use SI. Additionally, they earn grades about half a letter grade better than non-si attendees. Critical thinking is the focus of our College s Quality Enhancement Plan. We know that this essential ability is constantly encouraged by the Socratic questioning format and the participatory learning that take place in our SI sessions. The SI program has proven so successful that it has grown to include many classes and disciplines, including mathematics, science, foreign languages and economics. We view this support system as an essential tool for program completion, resulting in better learning outcomes, higher grades and increased mastery of complex bodies of knowledge. As you can see, Supplemental Instruction is very important to the success that our students achieve! Dennis P. Gallon, Ph.D. President

16 Highlights from Dr. Gallon s Message We believe the atmosphere of teamwork in SI provides an opportunity for participants to develop and strengthen the social bonds with one another in an academic context. This makes them more connected to the College and more likely to stay and complete their degrees. Critical thinking is the focus of our College s Quality Enhancement Plan. We know that this essential ability is constantly encouraged by the Socratic questioning format and the participatory learning that take place in our SI sessions. The SI program has proven so successful that it has grown to include many classes and disciplines, including mathematics, science, foreign languages and economics. We view this support system as an essential tool for program completion, resulting in better learning outcomes, higher grades and increased mastery of complex bodies of knowledge.

17 2. SI at Palm Beach State College does not stand alone. It is part of the Student Learning Center, whose labs and programs complement one another.

18 3. The Quality of SI Leaders Recruitment standards Initial training In-service professional development Mentoring and support Observations and feedback Evaluation Retention over several semesters or years

19 Desiree Hamilton-Palmer and Brennan Montoni

20 Video clip of panel here? 2:18:03 (Shondelle) 2:21:00 2:22:05 (Karen W.)

21 4. Persistence and Consistency of Documentation. A message from Arlene Jellinek, Boca Raton SI Supervisor...

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23 Summary Report Data % Pass Rate for Targeted Classes Mean GPA for Targeted Classes GPA of SI Attendees GPA of Non-Attendees Total GPA Of Classes Offered SI 80.00% % % 50.00% % % 20.00% % % Fall AY 2005 AY 2010 AY Fall 2013 Pass Rate of SI Attendees 69.40% 82.79% 85.60% 80.75% 81.83% Pass Rate of Non-Attendees 52.60% 38.22% 49.99% 58.24% 59.52% Pass Rate of Classes offered SI 60.80% 63.71% 60.94% 64.92% 68.66% 0 FALL AY 2005 AY 2010 AY FALL 2013 Based on all available data.

24 Increase in Number of SI Leaders Increase in Number of SI Sections SI Growth Increase in Number of Students Attending SI Increase in Number of Students Enrolled in Targeted Classes FALL AY 2005 AY 2010 AY PROJECTED 2013 AY FALL PROJECTED 2013 AY Based on all available data.

25 5. Balance We evolve, accommodate students and faculty, and remain flexible. SI is effective because we do it in a particular way: We remain true to the original SI model and maintain the integrity of the program.

26 Dr. Magdala Ray Previously Dean of Bachelor s Programs, Dean of Academic Affairs, Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, Student Learning Center Coordinator, Math Learning Specialist who established SI at the Lake Worth campus in 1995, Dr. Ray currently serves as Professor of Introduction to the College Experience. She is a former student of Palm Beach Community College. SI at Palm Beach State College works because it stays true to the model.

27 Video clip of Magdala here. 13:50 to 14:30

28 6. Continuity of Relationships SI Leaders Faculty using SI Students taking many courses with SI leaders assigned to them Program coordinators Supportive administrators

29 7. Put SI at the Center of College Initiatives Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) for Palm Beach State: Critical Thinking We asked Karen how long she has been QEP Manager, and what role she sees for SI in the development of students critical thinking skills.

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31 8. Increased communication and coordination among the campuses in recent years, particularly through the SI District Advisory Committee. The committee was established in Fall Semester Members currently include campus SI supervisors, one SI leader/mentor, Student Learning Center managers, and SI learning specialists. Members rotate chairing of committee Meetings are held at least once per semester. Meetings have been held at all campuses.

32 The Advisory Committee vigorously debates suggested changes, procedures, standards, and policies.

33 Accomplishments of the SI District Advisory Committee All-campus SI leader trainings in 2012 and 2014 Sharing, collaborating, and brainstorming solutions Debating standardization vs. campus autonomy for SI programs Speaking in a more unified voice to the college community Support for presenting at this conference

34 Strengths: A Re-Cap 1. Buy-in and Support 2. SI Part of Student Learning Center 3. Quality of SI Leaders 4. Documentation 5. Balance 6. Continuity of Relationships 7. SI at Center of College Initiatives 8. District Advisory Committee

35 Question for the Audience: Through the course of our presentation, what ideas have we NOT explored related to promoting an atmosphere of cooperation among SI programs at multiple campuses of our colleges and universities?

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37 Rapid Rendezvous What college initiatives (critical thinking, first-year experience, career preparation, etc.) does/could SI contribute to at your college, and how?