Strategies for Retention and Graduation

Dr. David G. UnderwoodArkansas Tech University

Friday, October 8, 2010Russellville, AR

ACTEB 60th Annual Meeting

Characteristics of Arkansas & ATU Students

Fall 2009 – Public 4 Year Schools – First Time Students

All ATUMath Remediation 32.0% 27.2English Remediation 22.1% 19.6Reading Remediation 20.5% 16.5Remediation in One or More Area 39.1% 34.5

ATU Students are very similar in terms of remediation.

In addition, approximately 57% are first generation college students and 42.9% receive Pell Grants — a recognized indicator of need.

Conceptual Framework for Retention Programs at ATU

Astin’s IEO Model

I Inputs (Characteristics of Incoming Students)+

E Environment (Programs, Services, & People at Institution)=

O Outcome (Student Characteristics after Exposure to Institutional Environment)

Common Characteristics of Institutions with High Graduation Rates for Low Income Students

The Pell Institute for the Study of Opportunity in Higher Education, Dec. 2004

Intentional academic planning (Intrusive Advising)

Small classes (17.8 to 1 Faculty Student Ratio)

Special programs (Bridge to Excellence, Early Warning)

Dedicated faculty

Educational innovation (Freshman Orientation Requirement, Summer Compass Testing)

Developmental education

Geographic Isolation

Residential life (Requiring Freshmen to Live on Campus)

Shared values

Modest selectivity

Financial aid - high achievers (Federal, State & Institutional Aid)

Retention policy (Explicit Concern with Retention & Graduation Rates)

The Appeal of the “Quick Fix”

“…effective retention calls for the sustained effort on the part of all institutional members to give to each and every student serious and honest attention on a daily basis. It requires, if you will, a continuing commitment to the education of students. No technology, however sophisticated, can replace that sort of commitment.” (Tinto, V., 1987, p. 176)

Tinto, V. (1987) Leaving College: Rethinking the Causes and Cures of Student Attrition. The University of Chicago Press: Chicago, IL.

ATU Retention Initiatives

• Bridge to Excellence

• Early Warning

• CSP 1013

• TECH 1001

• Summer Compass Testing

• Student Support Services

Bridge to ExcellenceDr. Gary Biller, VP Student Services

Provide Students with Faculty/Staff Mentor

Students Take Noel-Levitz’s College Student Inventory (CSI TM)

Mentors Meet with Students Early in First Semester to Establish Point of Contact and Targeted Assistance (Referrals)

Mentors Follow-Up with Students as Needed

Heightens Campus Awareness

Bridge to Excellence – Why It Works

Mentors are the Key FactorProvide What Students Need to Be Successful

• Support• Understanding• Positive Role Models• Guidance• A Single Point of Contact• Referrals to Campus Resources• A Sense of Connection and Commitment

Early Warning – Academic AdvisingMs. Linda Clarke, Director

• Intrusive Advising

• Faculty Report StudentsExcessive AbsencesPoor Performance

• Academic Advising Contacts Students, Provides Assistance, and Reports back to the Faculty

Early Warning – Why It Works

Advisors are the Key FactorIntervene When Students Need It

• Guidance• A Point of Contact• Referrals to Campus Resources• A Sense of Connection and Commitment

CSP 1013 – Principles of Collegiate SuccessDr. Susan Underwood, CSP Department Head

Developed as Graduate Class Project

Transition Class – Not Orientation or Remediation

Based on Research of Successful StudentsExpected to Model Successful Behaviors

• Attend, Participate, Be Organized, Take Effective Notes, etc.

Designed as Peer Education with

Graduate Students Teaching

CSP 1013 – Principles of Collegiate SuccessWhy It Works

Teaching Successful Behaviors is Key FactorProvide What Students Need to Be Successful

• Teaches how to study smarter

• Helps students develop more effective study, exam, note taking, reading, and writing skills

• Teaches time and task management

• Provides skills in setting academic and career goals

• Helps students understand personal

responsibility

TECH 1001– Orientation to UniversityDr. Beth Giroir, Coordinator

Created as a result of a University-wide initiative to require undergraduate students to complete an orientation-type course prior to graduation

Course taught by tenured/tenure-track professors

Course covers topics in the areas relating to:• University familiarity• Study skill development• Personal development

TECH 1001– Orientation to UniversityWhy It Works

Tenured/Tenure Track Faculty is Key Factor• Exposes students early on to the resources available

to be successful (Library, OneTech, Banner, etc.)

• Teaches students about, and how to implement, good study skills

• Provides information about Arkansas Tech in the areas of history, academic advising, and student involvement

• Assists students with personal development in

areas such as: Relationships, Diversity, Money Management, etc.

Summer Compass TestingMs. Shauna Donnell, Assistant Vice

President of Enrollment Management

Created to provide students with less than 19 on ACT in Math, Reading, Writing an opportunity to “test out of remediation”

Eligible students have up to 3 attempts to better their score

Provided free to studentsTaken online in the Advising Center with

immediate results

Summer Compass TestingWhy It Works

Eliminate Remediation for Successful Students

• Frees up faculty resources from remediation to college credit course load

• Eliminates the expense for students in taking non-college credit coursework

• Boosts morale of students

• Immediate results enables advisors to rework student schedules

• Results: Math 36, Reading 48, Writing 58

Student Support Services Federal Grant -- part of the TRIO program -- Will serve 140 students from low income, first generation, and/or

disabled students

• Will provide academic tutoring

• Assistance in completing financial aid applications

• Educational or counseling services designed to improve financial and economic literacy

• Assist students in applying for admission to graduate and professional programs

• Assist students in 2 Yr institutions in applying to, and obtaining financial assistance from, 4 Yr institutions

Questions?