Achieving the Dream Board of Trustees Institute 2010 Students Speak – We Listen!

23.5 …the number of inches of snow that fell in Evergreen, Colorado Tuesday night. Center for Community College Student Engagement

 Quantitative  CCSSE  CCFSSE  SENSE  Qualitative – focus groups  Initiative on Student Success 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 snapshot of first year students : Three colleges in different locations around the country – longitudinal

Center for Community College Student Engagement …of our students leave in their first year. 50%

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

Welcome to College!

Center for Community College Student Engagement Welcome to College!

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

Students don’t know what they don’t know… but we think they should! Center for Community College Student Engagement

90% …of new students responding to the SENSE survey say they believe they have the motivation to do what it takes to succeed in college. Center for Community College Student Engagement

Wow! It’s College!

85% …of new students responding to the SENSE survey say they’re academically prepared for college. Center for Community College Student Engagement

Entering students are highly motivated, are committed to achieving their academic goals, and sincerely believe they will. Center for Community College Student Engagement

During their first 3 weeks, students say… Fewer than half participated in on-campus orientation. Center for Community College Student Engagement

Do I Need Orientation?

Let’s Talk About… The “M” Word

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

Yet… 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

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…

Out of 78 Houston/Gulf Coast area focus group participants… Almost 1/3 dropped one or more class during the 1 st term

Center for Community College Student Engagement It’s About Learning… 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!

Center for Community College Student Engagement I

During the first 3 weeks… 41% said they came to class unprepared. More than 30% turned in an assignment late. More than 25% skipped class.

Center for Community College Student Engagement Getting Help Very or Somewhat Important Rarely/Never Used Tutoring71% 46% Math & English Labs74% 32%

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

I I Need Help, But…

Center for Community College Student Engagement I I’m Getting Help!

Center for Community College Student Engagement Engaged Learning… More than 30% asked questions in class or contributed to discussion only once or NEVER Almost half worked with other students in class once or NEVER

Center for Community College Student Engagement Give me a reason to come to class…

Center for Community College Student Engagement During the 1 st 3 weeks of class… More than half (55%) of students responding to the SENSE survey said they received prompt feedback about their performance once or NEVER

Do you know how you’re doing?

So how are we doing? Student Success…It’s in the Numbers… Center for Community College Student Engagement

Houston/Gulf Coast Focus Group Participants 78 students in 3 community colleges Status after 1 st Semester 35 students earned GPA less than 2.0 – 45% Half of all the male participants (23) 18 are men of color Center for Community College Student Engagement

Houston/Gulf Coast Focus Group Participants 78 students in 3 community colleges Status after 1 st Semester 16 students earned 0 credits – 21% 28% of all male participants (13) 11 are men of color Center for Community College Student Engagement

Houston/Gulf Coast Focus Group Participants 78 students in 3 community colleges Status after 1 st Semester 15 students did not re-enroll for the 2 nd term – 19% 10 are male – 22% of all male participants 9 are men of color 4 are women of color Center for Community College Student Engagement

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

Imagine Success! Students Persist When They: Are active & engaged learners Feel connected to the college Navigate successfully through college systems, processes and procedures Make a connection between now and their future (setting goals) Establish meaningful relationships with faculty, staff and peers

Imagine Success! What Works at the Front Door?

Students use the word “mandatory” and want us to use it when we know what they need. Imagine Success!

What Works in Class?

High Performing Colleges …make student engagement inescapable! Imagine Success!

What Works for All Students?