Instructor Survey Data Summary
The Instructor Survey, modeled after the NACEP survey instrument, was sent to 166
instructors teaching CIS courses in the partnering high schools in May 2015. The survey was
sent electronically via email in the form of a Survey Monkey instrument with a letter of
introduction and a request to return the survey within two weeks. A follow up email, along with
a chance of winning a $25 gas card to anyone who returned a survey, resulted in 115 responses
from the 166 sent, or a 69% response rate.
Survey results indicated that 65% of the respondents stated they had participated in the
CIS program for five or fewer years, with five being the median number of years as well. The CIS
program at Central Lakes College started in 2005-2006, and after that many high schools
changed their hiring practices to require new hires to have a Master’s degree in their field of
study. Because of these factors, the above numbers are congruent with expectations.
Instructors reported on the number of courses taught as well as the number of students
taught. The number of courses taught ranged from zero (new instructors) to 18, with a median
of two courses. The number of students taught ranged from zero (new instructors) to 194, with
a median of 25 students taught. The median high school population was reported to be 330
students.
As a result of taking the CIS courses these highlights were noted:
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51.3% Strongly Agree and 45.22% Agree that students participate in rigorous learning
42.6% Strongly Agree and 51.3% Agree that students develop a good understanding of
their academic skills
54.8% Strongly Agree and 40.87% Agree that CIS enhances the school’s prestige and
academic reputation
41.7% Strongly Agree and 50.4% Agree that CIS courses help students develop realistic
expectations of postsecondary coursework
40.1% Strongly Agree and 45.2% Agree that they as instructors have learned about new
ideas and developments in their academic discipline(s)
40% Strongly Agree and 40.1% Agree that they have been energized as a teacher
38.3% Strongly Agree and 44.4% Agree that they have established higher standards for
student work
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Overall, the survey results were very positive. Instructors across the board felt that CIS
helped prepare students for post-secondary expectations. It was also strongly
communicated that CIS is highly valuable in keeping students at the high schools while
still giving them college level opportunities. Many instructors commented on how CIS
has helped make them better teachers. Many also commented that these courses
demonstrate how much potential their students have to be successful at the
postsecondary level.
Miscellaneous Open-Stated Comments by Instructors:
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The course allowed the students to immerse themselves in the culture and language to
a degree they had not been previously able to achieve.
CIS allows students to learn what they will likely face in the university setting.
Students get the college experience while still being in high school and can decide if
college is really the route they want to go.
I teach in a school district that has a high percentage of free/reduced lunch students.
The opportunity to earn free credits and begin their college career while still in high
school can be life-changing.
CIS has challenged students who have always been “A” students. They have to work
harder for the grades they earn.
The rigor that students are expected to succeed at has increased in the CIS course. They
understand the college expectations and work harder to achieve that success.
CIS has facilitated more meaningful conversations among a greater number of students
about the opportunity that a college education provides and the benefit of starting on
that path sooner.
CIS gives the high schools the ability to offer students college classes, and thereby keeps
them in the high school setting.
We are leading the way in CIS programming in high schools offering an AA degree on
campus and I am proud to be part of the innovation.
CIS Provides students in our rural district with the opportunity to experience college
classes in a setting in which they feel comfortable. This increases the likelihood that they
will go on to further their education.
CIS has energized me and allowed me to believe that I have not yet come close to
maximizing my potential as a teacher, or the benefit I can provide to my students and
my school/school district.
My students are the best. I wanted to make sure they got as much out of the course as
possible – which always makes me a better teacher!
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