Underprepared and Misunderstood:A Model for Meeting Challenge with

Support for Community College Students

Donna Younger, Ed.D.November 5, 2012

Oakton Community College Des Plaines, IL

A good start increases the chances of

a win at the end.

Dimensions of Preparedness• Academic Skills

ReadingWritingMath

** More than half of entering community college students place in one or more developmental courses

•

Dimensions of Preparedness• Studentship Skills

Time management Study skills Test-taking

** Most community college FYS emphasize development of these skills…but the FYS is not typically required

Dimensions of Preparedness• College Knowledge

Norms – classroom behaviorRules – attendance policy?

Language – meaning of elective, GPA, plagiarism, etc Expectations – roles of institution and student regarding student success

Dimensions of Preparedness• Support and Resources

Family and friends – making college a priorityEmployer – adjusting work schedule or

assignments Realistic estimate of funds needed – tuition

and books; lost income; child care

Dimensions of Preparedness• Self-Knowledge

Realistic assessment of strengths and weaknessesrelated to college

Setting, articulating, and revising realistic goals

The Impact of Underpreparedness

• Academic progress slowed or stopped

• Self-concept as student in question

• Strengthens naysayers in student’s life

Creating Balance to Support Learning

Challenge: Academic Skills• Sources of Support

Tutoring – small group, one-on-one, onlineClassroom-based academic support

Required placement testing upon admission Direction in course selection based on

placement

Challenge: Studentship Skills• Sources of Support:

FYS Peer mentors

Targeted services – test performance analysis

Challenge: College Knowledge• Sources of Support:

Orientation and Student Handbook – glossary, Policies, FAQs, Scenarios

FYS – “rules of engagement” Buddy system – mentoring, learning cohorts

Challenge: Support and Resources• Sources of Support:• Family involvement – orientation• FYS – financial literacy, impact of transitions• Rich opportunities for campus employment• Textook, calculator, computer loan programs

Challenge: Self-Knowledge• Sources of Support:• Self-assessment – LASSI, FYS exercises• Goal-setting and periodic review – advising,

FYS, mentoringGrowth “across the curriculum” – opportunities for

critical self-reflection within courses

Your Institution

• Q: What area(s) of preparedness pose the• greatest challenge for your students?

• Q: Where are you doing the best job of• providing support for these challenges?