Topic #2 – FIRST-GENERATION Students Key AC Evidence Provided by Amarillo College Offices of Institutional Research and Outcomes Assessments

Definitions First-Time in College (AC): A student who has no prior postsecondary experience (except as noted below) attending any institution for the first time at the undergraduate level. This includes students enrolled in academic or occupational programs. It also includes students enrolled in the fall term who attended college for the first time in the prior summer term, and students who entered with advanced standing (college credits earned before graduation from high school). First Generation Federal : Students that represent the first generation of their families to attend higher education institutions. Indicates that neither of the student’s parents attended college. Why AC uses FTIC rather than First Gen.? 1.Students who self identify as the first generation often are confused or simply don’t know whether at least one parent hold a baccalaureate degree. 2.Amarillo College can easily identify whether a student has completed or matriculated any college credit hours.

Enrollments

Program Majors

Completers

Transfers

Student Engagement Data relevant to First Generation Students

Community College Survey of Student Engagement (CCSSE) Relevant Information from AC Student Responses Statement Amarillo College First Generation Mean Score Amarillo College Non-First Generation Mean Score ALL CCSSE Schools First Generation Mean Score During the current school year, how much has your coursework at this college emphasized the following mental activities? (Responses were 1-Very Little, 2-Some, 3-Quite a bit, 4-Very much) Memorizing facts, ideas, or methods from your courses and readings so you 2.78 (N=206)2.88 (N=410)2.84 (N=104,816) Analyzing the basic elements of an idea, experience, or theory 2.78 (N=205)2.85 (N=410)2.84 (N=104,512) Making judgments about the value or soundness of information, arguments, 2.25 (N=206)2.53 (N=410)2.54 (N=104,245) Applying theories or concepts to practical problems or in new situations 2.43 (N=205)2.67 (N=410)2.65 (N=104,400) How likely is it that the following issues would cause you to withdraw from class or from this college? (Responses 1-Not likely, 2-Somewhat, 3- Likely, 4-Very Likely) Academically unprepared1.91 (N=205)1.60 (N=405)1.67 (N=103,478) In your experiences at this college during the current school year, about how often have you done each of the following? (Responses 1-Never, 2-Sometimes, 3-Often, 4-Very Often) Come to class without completing readings or assignments 1.72 (N=204)1.86 (N=407)2.70 (N=204) RECURRING THEMES - ACADEMIC:

Statement Amarillo College First Generation Mean Score Amarillo College Non-First Generation Mean Score ALL CCSSE Schools First Generation Mean Score How much does this college emphasize each of the following? (Responses 1-Very Little, 2-Some, 3-Quite a bit, 4-Very much) Providing the support you need to help you succeed at this college 3.12 (N=205)3.11 (N=408)3.01 (N=103,497) Encouraging contact among students from different economic, social, and racial 2.54 (N=205)2.52 (N=407)2.50 (N=103, 269) Helping you cope with your non- academic responsibilities (work, family, etc.) 1.95 (N=205)2.01 (N=408)1.95 (N=103,291) Providing the support you need to thrive socially 2.13 (N=203)2.15 (N=403)2.16 (N=102, 858) Mark the box that best represents the quality of your relationships with people at this college. (Responses range from 1-7: (1) Unfriendly, unsupportive, sense of alienation- (7) Friendly, supportive, sense of belonging) Instructors5.99 (N=205)5.88 (N=408)5.77 (N=103,565) How likely is it that the following issues would cause you to withdraw from class or from this college? Caring for dependents1.97 (N=206)1.87 (N=407)1.98 (N=103,658) How supportive are your friends of your attending this college? 3.44 (N=206)3.45 (N=408)3.30 (N=104,222) How supportive is your immediate family of your attending 3.71 (N=205)3.71 (N=406)3.52 (N=103,976) RECURRING THEMES - EMOTIONAL: Community College Survey of Student Engagement (CCSSE) Relevant Information from AC Student Responses

RECURRING THEMES - FINANCIAL: Statement Amarillo College First Generation Mean Score Amarillo College Non-First Generation Mean Score ALL CCSSE Schools First Generation Mean Score How much does this college emphasize each of the following? (Responses 1-Very Little, 2-Some, 3-Quite a bit, 4-Very much) Providing the financial support you need to afford your education 2.68 (N=205)2.53 (N=405)2.48 (N=103,055) About how many hours do you spend in a typical 7-day week doing each of the following? (Responses 0=None, 1=1 to 5, 2= 6 to 10, 3=11 to 20, 4=21 to 30, 5=30+) Working for pay3.18 (N=205)3.51 (N=406)3.18 (N=103,113) Providing care for dependents living with you (parents, 2.25 (N=203)2.03 (N=407)2.18 (N=103,010) How likely is it that the following issues would cause you to withdraw from class or from this college? (Responses 1-Not Likely, 2-Somewhat Likely, 3-Likely, 4-Very Likely) Working full-time2.21 (N=206)2.12 (N=408)2.19 (N=104,092) Lack of finances2.71 (N=204)2.56 (N=408)2.55 (N=103,739) Community College Survey of Student Engagement (CCSSE) Relevant Information from AC Student Responses

RECURRING THEMES - SERVICES : Statement Amarillo College First Generation Mean Score Amarillo College Non-First Generation Mean Score ALL CCSSE Schools First Generation Mean Score Indicate HOW OFTEN you use the following services? (Responses 0-N/A, 1-Not at all, 2-Somewhat, 3-Very) Academic advising/planning2.02 (N=195)1.83 (N=395)1.79 (N=95,420) Skill labs (writing, math, etc.)1.89 (N=172)1.79 (N=329)1.76 (N=80,897) Financial aid advising2.09 (N=168)1.81 (N=332)1.89 (N=83,885) Computer lab2.22 (N=181)1.81 (N=355)2.11 (N=90,712) Indicate HOW SATISFIED you are with the following services? (Responses 0-N/A, 1-Not at all, 2-Somewhat, 3-Very) Academic advising/planning2.46 (N=180)2.36(N=368)2.26 (N=63,369) Skill labs (writing, math, etc.)2.44 (N=149)2.31(N=243)2.29 (N=63,025) Financial aid advising2.62 (N=195)2.43(N=396)2.47 (N=97,751) Computer lab2.59 (N=196)2.4 (N=394)2.47 (N=98,078) Community College Survey of Student Engagement (CCSSE) Relevant Information from AC Student Responses

Questions Delton Moore Director of Institutional Research Kara Larkan-Skinner Director of Outcomes Assessments Copyright Amarillo College 2009