deciphering best practices for underprepared college students
DESCRIPTION
This presentation gives an overview of services provided by the Tutoring and Academic Success Center (TASC) at Cleveland State University in Cleveland, Ohio. In particular, the Success Coaching and Viking Academic Boot Camp programs are explored in more detail.TRANSCRIPT
Deciphering Best Practices for Underprepared College Students Christine A. Vodicka, DirectorTutoring & Academic Success Center
The Tutoring & Academic Success Center (TASC)
• The “Tutoring Center” given new name, location, and management in Fall 2008.
• In the last 4 years, expanded services beyond 1:1 tutoring: • Walk-in tutoring• Writer’s Block • eTutoring • Supplemental Instruction (SI) • Structured Learning Assistance (SLA) • Viking Academic Boot Camp*• Success Coaching*
2008: staff of 12
2012: staff of 125+
(not all pictured)
From empty and dull to lively and
inviting!
TASC cont’d
The staff…
• Half undergraduate students and half graduate students.
• Minimum GPA 3.0. Average GPA is approx. 3.5.
• Tutors get certified by the College Reading and Learning Association (CRLA)
The programs… • Each year TASC programs
serve over 5,000 students.• Students that attend SI or SLA
sessions tend to score one letter grade higher than non participants.
A CLOSER LOOK AT TWO TASC BEST PRACTICES:
Success Coaching &
Viking Academic Boot Camp
SUCCESS COACHING Meeting individual needs with:
What is Success Coaching?
Success coaches offer individualized sessions and customized workshops for programs on campus. Participants learn about the following:
Note-taking Studying Time management Goal setting Motivation Organization Test taking strategies Reading comprehension Stress/anxiety management
What do coaches do?• Coaches prepare personalized sessions for each of their
students (test taking, time management, studying, etc.)
• Coaches assist students in developing and following a “Success Action Plan.”
• Throughout each session, coaches encourage student self-reflection while helping students develop metacognitive skills.
• Coaches also act as a mentor to the student. Students realize they have someone to turn to.
Success Coaching is catching on…
Fall 2010 Spring 2011 Fall 2011 Spring 20120
20
40
60
80
100
120
Our Growth
Students
Coaches
Who attends Success Coaching?
66%
12%
8%
14%
Number of Success Coaching Students
Freshmen Sophomores
Juniors Seniors
In Spring of 2012, we assisted a total of 99 undergraduates.
30% male students70% were female
Success Coaching Intervention (SCI)
• Pilot program in Spring 2012• Designed to help freshmen on academic probation (GPA<2.0) boost their
GPA in order to be in good academic standing. • The Intervention was voluntary and included:
– 3 workshops designed to help the students with preparing for the start of classes, getting refocused and reorganized at midterm time, and finals preparation
– 1:1 Success Coaching (recommended six sessions minimum)– 347 first year students on academic probation after their first semester.
Approximately 100 participated in the intervention.
Preliminary Findings
• Students who attend Success Coaching on average improve their GPA by over 1.0.
• One student recently on probation that participated in ongoing coaching went from 1.2 term GPA to a 3.36 term GPA in one semester!
VIKING ACADEMIC BOOT CAMP Hard work pays off with the…
• Intensive 7-week summer program• Offered to incoming freshmen and current students that place into
developmental math and/or English • Program components:
– Math and English classes– Structured Learning Assistance (SLA)– Success Coaching– Team/Community Building – “Bridge” to College Life– Accessible fees
Semester Course/Textbook Cost VABC cost
English $760 $100
Math $1550 $100 Possible
savings:
$2,100
What is VABC?
• Designed for students with multiple risk factors: first generation, low income, minority status
• Opportunity to pass developmental courses at reduced rate of $100!
PURPOSE GROWTH
Math English05
1015202530354045
200920102011
Number of students enrolled
VABC: The Beginning
Each Friday:
• 11:00-2:00 • Success Coaching • Team Building/ Campus
Exploration • Guest speakers• FREE LUNCH!
Purpose:
• Learn self-management skills, goal setting, note-taking, studying, etc.
• Become acclimated and engaged with the university
• Bond with other students and VABC staff
VABC: Victory Days
VABC: Success
Average pass rates for developmental courses
VABC pass rates!
Math: 41% - 53%
English: 49% - 63%
Math: 88% in summer 2011
(up from 75% in summer 2010)
English: 100% in summer 2011
(up from 81% in summer 2010)
The Recipe for Success
• Supportive and positive faculty• Embedded support (faculty + 2 SLA Leaders per each
of 2 math courses and the 1 English course)• Attendance policy; students cannot miss more than two
days or they lose their spot in the program• Success Coaching Workshops• Team building and campus exploration
“Bootcamp was the best option & I would refer anyone to this
program.”
“They make me
look at college in new way.”
“Now that I’ve taken
this course I am
excited for math.”
VABC: Testimonials
Thank you.
Christine Vodicka
Director, Tutoring & Academic Success Ctr.
(216) 523-7366
TASC information packets are available.