The Impact of Supplemental Instruction on Non-Traditional Students

• In Event: Teaching and Learning I

Abstract

What if there was a program created that could increase a non-traditional student’s chance at successfully completing a historically high failure course? This study analyzes the comparative success rates of non-traditional versus traditional students enrolled in such a program. Supplemental Instruction (SI) is an academic assistance program facilitated by peer-to-peer instruction to promote persistence and retention in courses with historically high failure rates. A hybrid version of SI was developed and implemented at Texas Woman’s University as part of the Comprehensive Student Success Program (CSSP) grant which captured data for four freshman level courses during Fall 2013, Spring 2014, Fall 2014, and Spring 2015. By recognizing the growing presence of non-traditional students, college campuses can provide programs to support their academic goals which can be complicated by the additional responsibilities those students typically carry.

Authors

• Cammy Boaz, Texas Woman's University

• Bev Carlsen-Landy, Texas Woman's University