Students` Perspective on Student Success Results from Student

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Students’ Perspective on Student Success

Results from Student Survey and Focus Groups, Fall 2011

A two-question survey was administered with LATTC students, in fall semester 2011, with the primary purpose of ascertaining how they (students) define student success and what one thing they would change that would help them succeed in college. In particular, as it pertains to the planning that is currently being undertaken by the Instruction and

Curriculum and the Student Support planning taskforces, the responses from students could be summarized as follows.

139 students provided their definition of student success. Students defined success in more than one way. 55 respondents (40%) highlighted the importance of student motivation and performance as part of a definition of student success. 51 students (37%) related success to setting and achieving their goals. A vast majority of students also related their success to one or more educational achievements. The responses are summarized in the table below:

Number of answers % of respondents How Students Define Student Success

55

51

40%

37%

Building motivation, self-esteem, do my best

Setting and achieving goals

45

39

34

32%

28%

24%

Get career, certificate or transfer

Preparation for success in life

Succeed in school/course completion/GPA

The second question (e.g., what one thing students would change to increase success) drew fewer responses (97). The responses are summarized in the table below:

Number of answers % of respondents Desired Change to

Increase Student Success

22 23% Study habits, motivation, start early

17

14

18%

14%

More resources and student involvement

Financial Aid/ Hardship

12

10

12%

10%

Scheduling (class choice or time offered)

Better instructors and more tutoring

In addition, a focus group was conducted with LATTC students to inform the development of the LACCD strategic plan.

Below are selective responses for five different questions that relate to instruction/curriculum and student support:

1.

One thing to change in this college: improved school spirit; more interdepartmental projects; diverse delivery modes; more interaction and information with departments; GE education; articulation agreements with other schools, internships for trades; better communication; momentum scholarships; enriching student services; clean campus and bathrooms; collaborations; updated modern equipment; hands on training ; more faculty support

2.

College performs well: impacting students’ life; variety of programs, some exceptional faculty and staff, good job skills provided

3.

Needs to be improved: culture: welcoming and more guidance; connections with industry, make teachers accountable, teachers continues training is needed, more tutoring even for trades, start using e-books; streamline the processes to have less lines; new courses and curriculum

4.

Biggest challenge: student-teacher relationships; advocacy; not enough tutoring; financial aid; class schedule for working people, should be bigger classes size to allow for more registration, lottery registration system is not good

5.

One thing to improve student completion: better communication and closing a gap between student and teacher; more guidance; more transparency in funds usage; increase student involvement in all campus areas

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