Center for
Student
Achievement
January 16, 2013

• History & Overview of Programs
• Student Staff Hiring, Training, & Supervision
• Program Effectiveness
• Spring 2013 Outlook
• Questions & Discussion

SI & Tutoring
Supplemental Instruction (UMKC, 2013)
An academic assistance program that utilizes peer-assisted study sessions . SI sessions are regularly-scheduled, informal review sessions in which students compare notes, discuss readings, develop organizational tools, and predict test items.
Students learn how to integrate course content and study skills while working together.
• “How to learn” with “what to learn”
• Collaborative Learning approach
• Complement & enhance students’ classroom learning
• Non-remedial, inclusive learning environment for all students

SI & Tutoring
Supplemental Instruction (UMKC, 2013)
Purpose:
1. To increase retention within targeted historically difficult courses
2. To improve student grades in targeted historically difficult courses
3. To increase the graduation rates of students
SU’s Program:
Course
Sections
Supported
Students
Supported
Fall 2009 Spring 2010
8 7
Fall 2010 Spring 2011
16 17
Fall 2011 Spring 2012
35 35
Fall 2012
47
231 182 626 547 1,453 1,388 1,773

SI & Tutoring
Tutoring (NC State & ITTPC, 2013)
By hiring and training qualified students to provide a variety of tutorial services, SU tutoring promotes students to become independent learners and therefore contribute to
SU’s undergraduate students’ academic success.
The program is in the process of earning its first level of the
International Tutor Training Program Certification
(ITTPC) by the College Reading and Learning
Association (CRLA).

SI & Tutoring
Tutoring
Goals of tutoring:
1. Promote independence of learning
2. Personalize instruction
3. Help the tutee understand how he or she learns best
4. Provide a student perspective on learning and college success
5. Respect individual differences
6. Help tutees to develop weak skills into stronger skills in order to be successful

SI & Tutoring
Tutoring
History of our program:
Number of
Visits
Increase/
Decrease
Fall 2009 Spring 2010 Fall 2010 Spring 2011 Fall 2011 Spring 2012 Fall 2012
145 230 292 484 703 864 744
--85 62 192 219 161 120

SI & Tutoring
Course Selection
SI:
– DFW rates of 25% or higher
– Student enrollment & gate-keeper courses
– Budget
Tutoring:
– DFW rates
– Student request
– Budget

SI & Tutoring
Peer Leader Responsibilities
SI:
-Attend class each week
-Prepare for sessions/meet with instructor
-Facilitate 3 study sessions/week
Tutoring:
-Tutors have a set weekly schedule
-Stay polished in subjects for tutoring

SI & Tutoring
Peer Leader Selection
SI:
– Faculty recommendation
– Previous performance in SI course, 3.0 GPA
– Interview
Tutoring:
– Application online
– Faculty recommendation
– Performance in courses offered, 3.0 GPA
– Interview

SI & Tutoring
Peer Leader Training & Evaluation
SI:
– 8-hour training at the start of the semester
– 3-hours of training throughout semester
– Mid-semester evaluations & meetings
– Session observations throughout semester
Tutoring:
– 7-hour training at the start of the academic school year
– 3-hour training at the start of the spring semester
– 1-hour meetings held throughout both semesters
– Mid-semester evaluations
– End-of-semester evaluations from tutees

SI & Tutoring
Evaluating Program Effectiveness
SI:
Mean Final Course Grade & DFW Comparisons
-Overall Course DFW Rate
-Student Usage & Feedback
-SI Participant Retention & Graduation Rates*
Tutoring:
Numbers are calculated throughout the semester to determine which courses and tutors are being utilized most

SI & Tutoring
Fall 2012 Visits By Week
600
500
400
300
200
100
0
178
380
455
511
321
414
433
472
123
385
368
488
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9* 10 11 12 & 13 14
Student Feedback (N=128):
• 88.60% thought SI sessions were helpful
• 88.2% discussed and practiced course concepts outside of class
• 77.2% further understood course content
544
Visits

SI & Tutoring
3,5
2,5
4
3
2
3,07
2,19
Mean Final Course Grades of SI and Non-SI Participants
Fall 2012
3,67
3,38
3
3,04
2,55
2,36
2,45
2,62
2,48
2,86
2,57
2,14
1,92
1,97
1,78
1,9
1,5
1
0,5
0
Accounting Biology Chemistry Computer
Science
Exercise
Science
Health Math Music* Physics
Note: Data not analyzed for statistical significance
SI: 357 students; Non-SI: 1416 students
SI
Non-SI

SI & Tutoring
DFW Course Percentage for SI and Non-SI Participants
Fall 2012
70%
60%
63%
50%
42%
40%
39%
36%
30%
25%
20%
12%
10%
0%
0%
Accounting Biology
20%
13%
Chemistry
0%
Computer
Science
Exercise
Science
0%
4%
Health
17%
31%
Math
11%
19%
10%
Music*
36%
Physics
SI
Non-SI
Note: Data not analyzed for statistical significance
SI: 357 students; Non-SI: 1416 students

SI & Tutoring
Spring 2013 Outlook
SI:
60 Course Sections Supported (1,989 students)
-February 3 rd : Sessions Begin
-Increase students’ satisfaction/perceived benefit
-Further promote a positive SI culture across campus
-Collaborate with departments to assess effectiveness
Tutoring:
49 courses available for tutoring
-January 28: Tutoring Begins
-Training

SI & Tutoring
Faculty & Staff Role with Programs:
-Encourage student usage
-Support the peer leaders
-Contact us with feedback
-Inquire about support for your course

SI & Tutoring
Resources:
CRLA (2013). Tutor Training Certification: (ITTPC) International Tutor Training
Program Certification. http://www.crla.net/ittpc/index.htm
NC State (2013). NC State Undergraduate Tutorial Center. http://www.ncsu.edu/tutorial_center/
UMKC (2013). Overview of Supplemental Instruction. International Center for
Supplemental Instruction. http://www.umkc.edu/asm/si/overview.shtml

Questions
SI & Tutoring
SI: Heather Porter hdporter@salisbury.edu
Tutoring: Jenny Lewis
SWAchievement4@salisbury.edu

A Maryland University of National Distinction