An Overview of Structured Learning Assistance Presented at Cleveland State University Julie Thatcher, SLA Program Coordinator March 25, 2008

Brief History of FSU Woodbridge Ferris founded Big Rapids Industrial School with 15 students Institution renamed Ferris Industrial School Ferris joins the State higher educational system School is renamed Ferris State College Ferris becomes Ferris State University Kendall College merges with Ferris Today FSU has 9 colleges and 170 degree programs Fall 07 enrollment: 13,087 (9,680 at Big Rapids) March 25, 2008

FSU Admission Requirements Woodbridge Ferris believed in educational access for all Michiganders Prior to Fall 2002: 2.0 GPA, ACT were used solely for placement Fall 2002: 15 ACT or 2.25 GPA Fall 2004: 16 ACT or 2.35 GPA Fall 2006: 17 ACT or 2.50 GPA Fall 2008: 18 ACT or 2.70 GPA* *Fall 08 NOT YET APPROVED March 25, 2008

SLA Program History Developed and piloted at Ferris in 1993 because − Discrepancy between academic expectations and student readiness − Dozens of courses with pass rates of C- or better below 60% − Declining student retention − Desire to maximize direct transference of study and learning methods to content areas − Limited academic assistance financial resources March 25, 2008

SLA Program History First experimental section of SLA in a history course SLA awarded a 3-year MI DOE 4-S grant to trial SLA SLA awarded a 3-year MI DOE 4-S grant to continue SLA Another MI DOE 4-S grant awarded to implement SLA in developmental courses SLA awarded the Hesburgh Certificate of Excellence $500,000 FIPSE grant awarded to replicate SLA in four institutions SLA became part of the University College base budget Apprentice program incorporated March 25, 2008

SLA Program History FSU Exceptional Merit Grant awarded to purchase a Classroom Performance System (CPS) Arlene Morton published "Improving NCLEX Scores with Structured Learning Assistance" in Nurse Educator Summer conference to train multiple institutions to implement SLA Two sections of SLA were adapted to investigate SLA's impact on Michigan Test of Basic Skills SLA Symposium held March March 25, 2008

SLA Key Features SLA targets courses (not students) SLA works within established course offering systems SLA promotes collaborative learning rather than remediation SLA enables faculty development SLA is voluntary by enrollment, but mandatory by practice March 25, 2008

Why SLA? Tutoring does not reach large groups of students at once Supplemental Instruction does not reach students who will not voluntarily seek academic assistance SLA integrates course content and methods SLA provides more time on task Aside from workshop time, the content, pace and assessments are identical to that of non-SLA sections March 25, 2008

SLA Results in: Increased C- or better pass rates Increased retention Increased student academic independence Collaborative study among students Increased student study and learning strategies that can be directly applied to the course content Greater student understanding of course expectations More informed faculty Economical assistance for large numbers of students March 25, 2008

Attendance & Workshop Policy The professor establishes performance threshold Students performing above this grade are encouraged but not required to attend Required students who have more than 4 unexcused absences must W or receive an F in the course Students sign an attendance and workshop policy statement of understanding March 25, 2008

Selecting Courses High rates of failure High rates of withdrawal Developmental courses Gateway courses Courses in a necessary sequence Required science courses for non-science majors Required math courses for non-math majors Faculty assignments March 25, 2008

Registration System Students know in advance which courses and sections are SLA supported Students can search for SLAs within the system SLA workshops are built into student schedules No conflicts arise Program is voluntary in most cases Banner System: March 25, 2008

Student Satisfaction March 25, 2008

Effectiveness Measures March 25, 2008

Semester Pass Rate March 25, 2008

Semester Pass Rates March 25, 2008

GPA & ACT Analysis March 25, 2008 Comparison of Average HS GPA and ACT Composite Scores SLAControlDept Avg HS GPAACT CompHS GPAACT CompHS GPAACT Comp ACCT BIOL CHEM FINC MATH

Learning Outcomes March 25, 2008 Improving NCLEX Scores with SLA Morton, AM. Improving NCLEX scores with Structured Learning Assistance. Nurse Educator. 2006; 31 (4):

SLA Facilitator Activities Lecture and Lab Attendance Conducting Workshops Integrate Content and Study Skills Supervise Tutors Support Faculty Training and Professional Development Program Evaluations & Observations March 25, 2008

Facilitator’s Typical Week 3-4 hours in class 1 hour in collaboration with the course instructor 2-5 hours planning and creating workshop materials 3 hours in the SLA workshop 2-3 hours in lab if applicable Additional time “above and beyond” SALARY RANGE $ per semester March 25, 2008

Workshop Activities Lecture tips & review Note taking methods Textbook review Content organization Memory devices Discussion formats Games Exam preparation Active student participation March 25, 2008

Faculty Participation One hour per week for meetings with facilitator Faculty report an increase in lecture time as a result of SLA COMPENSATION? Faculty Participation is Voluntary Over two-thirds said that SLA provided much improvement in the learning atmosphere of their classrooms They observed a significant positive change in attitude among their students in the first 5 weeks of the semester More than 90% of faculty said they experienced an increased awareness of the needs of their students March 25, 2008

SLA Faculty Maintain lecture attendance policy Timely grading and posting Assess frequently Support SLA mission & practices Participate in preliminary training Attend SLA faculty meeting Allow end-of-semester evals in class March 25, 2008

SLA Faculty Collaborate with facilitator –Share ideas for content delivery –Offer old quizzes for practice –Welcome facilitator feedback Discuss SLA success with students Encourage students to attend Visit the workshop March 25, 2008

Faculty Professional Development Initial Training Weekly Meeting with Facilitator – Feedback on clarity of content – Awareness of off-task behaviors – Student concerns – Concerns about students SLA Faculty Meet Once per Year Currently Investigating Collaboration w/ Faculty Center for Teaching & Learning March 25, 2008

Contact Information Julie Thatcher SLA Program Coordinator 820 Campus Drive, ASC 1045 Big Rapids, MI March 25, 2008