2010 CCCSE Workshop Students Speak – We Listen June 1, 2010

Center for Community College Student Engagement Arleen Arnsparger Project Manager, Initiative on Student Success Sandra Shannon Project Coordinator, Initiative on Student Success Patri O’Gan Administrative Associate, Initiative on Student Success Center for Community College Student Engagement Community College Survey of Student Engagement (CCSSE) Community College Faculty Survey of Student Engagement (CCFSSE) Survey of Entering Student Engagement (SENSE) Community College Leadership Program The University of Texas at Austin

Agenda  Introduction – Why focus groups?  Creating Stories -- How to use focus group findings – qualitative information -- alongside your institutional data – quantitative information  Designing, organizing, and conducting focus groups  Group work  Q&A throughout the session  What do you want to take away from this session? Center for Community College Student Engagement

Why focus groups? Digging beneath the numbers… moving from “what” to “why” Bringing data alive through student voices The power of stories Center for Community College Student Engagement

 Quantitative  CCSSE  CCFSSE  SENSE  Qualitative  Initiative on Student Success / Starting Right Center for Community College Student Engagement

CCCSE & Starting Right Initiative Quantitative + Qualitative Information : CCSSE + Focus groups : SENSE + Focus Groups : Three colleges and two high schools in Houston area – longitudinal study : Three colleges in different locations around the country – longitudinal study

4 …the least number of times students in focus groups at one college we visited returned to the college to complete the registration process. Center for Community College Student Engagement

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Center for Community College Student Engagement Early Connections… Video Removed

Students don’t know what they don’t know… but we think they should…and we behave as though they do! Center for Community College Student Engagement

The students in our focus groups who reported the best experience registering at their college had something in common. What was it? Center for Community College Student Engagement

Discussion Qs Who? Which students do you want to hear from? What? What do you want to learn from them? Why? What data lead you to ask those questions?

CCSSE Benchmarks for Effective Educational Practice  Active and Collaborative Learning  Student Effort  Academic Challenge  Student-Faculty Interaction  Support for Learners Center for Community College Student Engagement

SENSE Benchmarks of Effective Practice with Entering Students… Early Connections High Expectations and Aspirations Clear Academic Plan and Pathway Effective Track to College Readiness Engaged Learning Academic and Social Support Network Center for Community College Student Engagement

Active & Collaborative Learning What percentage of students said they asked questions in class or contributed to class discussions? Often or Very Often What percentage of students said they worked with other students on a project or assignment often or very often? During class? Outside of class? Center for Community College Student Engagement

Active & Collaborative Learning What percentage of students said they asked questions in class or contributed to class discussions? Often or Very Often – 65% What percentage of students said they worked with other students on a project or assignment often or very often? During class? – 46% Outside of class? – 22% Center for Community College Student Engagement

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Center for Community College Student Engagement Give Me a Reason to Come to Class… Video Removed

Center for Community College Student Engagement Academic Challenge: What % of students said they often or very often worked harder than they thought they could to meet an instructor’s expectations? Slightly less than half!

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Center for Community College Student Engagement Support for Learners: What do students say is the most important college service? Academic Advising & Planning

What entering students are telling us: During their first 3 weeks… Almost 30% didn’t know they could get academic advising… 47% didn’t use it. Center for Community College Student Engagement

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Center for Community College Student Engagement More than 70% of entering students say no college staff member talked with them about outside commitments to help them figure out how many classes to take.

Center for Community College Student Engagement Too Many Hours… Video Removed

Center for Community College Student Engagement Have you asked for help? 57% say Once or Never Gone to a tutor? 84% say Never Gone to a math, writing or other skill lab? 66% say Never

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Students don’t do optional!! Center for Community College Student Engagement

Focus Group Toolkit

Center for Community College Student Engagement Planning Focus Groups Recruiting Focus Group Participants Discussion Tools Analyzing/Reporting Student Focus Group Toolkit can be adapted for faculty & staff

Center for Community College Student Engagement Planning Focus Groups Selecting a Moderator and Note-taker Coordinator Responsibilities Coordinator Checklist Room Set-Up Videotaping Guidelines Consent Forms Student Focus Group Toolkit

Center for Community College Student Engagement Recruiting Focus Group Participants Selecting Participants Your goal is: To gain as accurate a picture as possible of student experiences at the college. You want the good, the bad, and the ugly! Invitations & Maintaining Contact Student Focus Group Toolkit

Center for Community College Student Engagement Discussion Tools Moderator Do’s and Don’ts Moderator’s Guide Student Profile Sheet Response Sheets Student Focus Group Toolkit

Center for Community College Student Engagement Focus Group Toolkit – Gathering Quantitative Data Along with Qualitative Information Student Profile Form – Use to gather basic information about your participants Additional response forms can be used to complement discussion findings. Examples: Non-Academic Responsibilities Finances Technology Use First Experiences

Center for Community College Student Engagement Focus Group Toolkit - Selecting a Moderator A time to listen, not to talk. Choose your facilitator wisely. Objective Not known to participants Not particularly knowledgeable about what the college is doing Able to listen without showing a reaction!

Center for Community College Student Engagement Group Activity - Create a Discussion Outline Select an OUTCOME. What do you want to learn from focus group participants? What 3 or 4 QUESTIONS could you ask to get to that outcome? Write OUTCOME and QUESTIONS on paper. Select one person to share your group’s outline with session participants.

What Matters Most for Student Success? Center for Community College Student Engagement

What Works at the Front Door? Center for Community College Student Engagement Video Removed

What Works Before Classes Start? Center for Community College Student Engagement Video Removed

Students use the word “mandatory” and want us to use it when we know what they need. Center for Community College Student Engagement

What Works in Class? Center for Community College Student Engagement Video Removed

What do you want to learn more about? From whom? What challenges do you see in conducting focus groups at your college? Next steps at your college? Let’s Listen! Center for Community College Student Engagement

Please take a few moments to complete the session evaluation. Thank you! Center for Community College Student Engagement