AQIP Action Project Report March 2015

Transcription

1 AQIP Action Project Report March 215

2 AQIP Action Project (November 214 Strategy Forum) Understanding the needs of part time students BACKGROUND Over the past 1 years, the student profile at Grand Rapids Community College has gone from 55% part time students to 66% part time students (Fall 213 Enrollment Report). We believe that the majority of our student support services were designed and implemented to best meet the needs of the full time learner. The purpose of this project is to better understand the needs of our part time students. The data from this research project will be shared with several college action project teams who are working to improve services for students.

3 Understanding the needs of part time students PROJECT ACTIVITIES Prepare a 5-year demographic analysis of part-time students focusing on how they differ from full time students (age, gender, Pell grant status, residence status, developmental education status, program majors, ethnicity) Disaggregate outcome data (course success rate, fall to fall retention rate, 6 year graduation/transfer rate (State of Michigan indicator), CCSSE data) for part time students compared with full time students Hold a focus group with part time students Survey part time students regarding their experience at GRCC Prepare presentation for Strategic Leadership Team

4 5-Year Demographic Analysis

5 PT/FT Status by Gender (%) Part time Female Male Female Male Fall Fall Fall Fall Fall Conclusions: students are more likely to be male, while part time students are more likely to be female. This pattern has been evidenced since 21

6 PT/FT Status by Ethnicity (%) Part time African African Hispanic White American American Hispanic White Fall Fall Fall Fall Fall Conclusions: The percentage of both full time and part time African American students has decreased over the past five years. (Note: % of undecided students has increased) The percentage of both full time and part time Hispanic students has increased slightly

7 PT/FT Status by Age (%) Part time > >24 Fall Fall Fall Fall Fall Conclusions: The percentage of the total student body who attend full time and are between the ages of has increased slightly over the past five years; while the percentage of full time students who are 24 or older has decreased. The percentage of part time students who are ag8-21 has increased; while the number of part time students who are 24 or older has decreased considerably.

8 PT/FT Status by Residency (%) Part time Nonresident state resident state Out of Non- Out of Resident Resident Fall Fall Fall Fall Fall Conclusions: There is no difference between part time and full time students as to their residency status

9 PT/FT Status by Pell Grant Status (%) Part time No Pell Pell No Pell Pell Fall Fall Fall Fall Fall Conclusions: Half of full time students receive a Pell grant. This pattern has not changed over time. Just 1/3 of part time students receive a Pell grant. This percent has decreased since 21.

10 PT/FT Status by % Taking 1 or more Distance Learning course Part time Fall Fall Fall Fall Fall Conclusions: Overall, full time students are more likely to be taking distance learning classes than part time students All students are more likely to be taking a distance learning class in 214 than in 21

11 Outcome Indicators for and Part time Students

12 Fall to winter retention rates for beginning, degree seeking freshman in the fall Part time Fall 9 to Winter Fall 1 to Winter Fall 11 to Winter Fall 12 to Winter Fall 13 to Winter year change -2.3% -2.9% Conclusions: new students are more likely than part time students to return for winter semester The trend for both full time and part time students to return for winter semester is decreasing over time

13 One year retention rates for first time, degree seeking students Part time Fall 9 to Fall Fall 1 to Fall Fall 11 to Fall Fall 12 to Fall Fall 13 to Fall year change 2.4% 4.3% Conclusions: students are much more likely to return for the next fall semester than part time students The trend for all students to be retained is increasing

14 Average GPA for full time and part time students Part time Fall Fall Fall Fall Fall Conclusions: Average GPA for both part and full time students have decreased since 21 Overall, part time students are more likely to have a higher GPA than full time students

15 year and 5-year graduation rates 3-year graduation rate 5-year graduation rate Cohort Part time Part time Fall Fall Fall Fall Fall Conclusions: students are much more likely to graduate at both 3- year and 5-year check points The pattern has not changed over time

16 CCSSE Survey Results March 213

17 Active and Collaborative Learning XL Colleges GRCC Part time Asked questions in class or contributed to a class discussion Made a class presentation (*FT) Worked with other students during class Worked with other students outside of class (*FT) Tutored other students Participated in a community based project as part of a class (*FT) Discussed ideas with other outside of class

18 Student Effort XL Colleges GRCC Part time Prepared 2 or more drafts of a paper before turning it in (*FT) Worked on a paper or project that required integrating ideas from various sources (*FT) Came to class without completing assignments Number of books read for personal enjoyment Hours spent preparing for class (*FT) Frequency: Peer or other tutoring Frequency: Skill labs or computer labs

19 Academic Challenge XL Colleges GRCC Part time Worked harder that you thought you could to meet expectations Analyzing basic elements of an idea, experience, or theory Synthesizing and organizing ideas in new ways Making judgments about the value of information Applying theories or concepts to practical problems (*FT) Using information to perform a new skill Number of assigned textbooks (*FT) Number of papers or reports (*FT) Exams challenge me to do best work Encouraged me to spend time studying

20 Student-Faculty Interaction XL Colleges GRCC Part time Used to communicate with an instructor (*FT) Discussed grades or assignments with an instructor Talked about career plans with an instructor or advisor (*FT) Discussed ideas from readings or classes with instructors outside of class (*FT) Received prompt feedback from instructors concerning performance Worked with instructors on activities beyond coursework

21 Support for Learners XL Colleges GRCC Part time Provides the support needed to help me succeed at this college Encourages contact among student from different economic, social, and racial/ethnic backgrounds Help cope with non-academic responsibilities Provide support to thrive socially Provide financial support to help afford your education Frequency: Academic advising Frequency: Career counseling

22 SENSE Survey Results November 214

23 Early Connections XL Colleges GRCC Part time The very first time I came to this college I felt welcome The college provided me with adequate information about financial assistance A college staff member helped me determine whether I qualified for financial assistance At least one college staff member (other than an instructor) learned my name

24 High Expectations & Aspirations 1 5 The instructors at this college want me to succeed I have the motivation to do what it takes to succeed in college I am prepared academically to succeed in college Frequency: Turn in an assignment late Frequency: Not turn in an assignment Frequency: Came to class unprepared Frequency: Skip class XL Colleges GRCC Part time

25 Clear Academic Plan & Pathway XL Colleges GRCC Part time I was able to meet with an academic advisor at times convenient for me An advisor helped me to select a course of study, program, or major An advisor helped me to set academic goals and to create a plan for achieving them An advisory helped me to identify the course I needed to take during my first semester A college staff member talked to me about my commitments outside of school and helped me figure out how many courses to take

26 Effective Track to College Readiness 1 5 I learned to improve my study skills I learned to understand my academic strengths and weaknesses I learned skills and strategies to improve my test-taking ability Before I could register, I was required to take a placement test I took a placement test XL Colleges GRCC Part time This college required me to enroll in classes indicated by the placement test

27 Engaged Learning XL Colleges GRCC Part time Ask questions in class or contribute to class discussions Prepare at least two drafts of a paper before turning it in Participate in supplemental instruction Work with others on a project or assignment during/outside of class Use electronic tools to communicate about class Participate in a required study group ouside of class Ask for help from instructors Frequency: Tutoring, computer labs

28 Academic and Social Support Network XL Colleges GRCC Part time Instructors clearly explained academic and student support service to me All instructors clearly explained course grading policies All instructors clearly explained course syllabi I knew how to get in touch with my instructors outside of class At least one student learned my name At least one instructor learned my name I learned the name of at least one other student in my class(es)

29 Focus Group Results November 214 (11 students attending)

30 Why do you attend part time? Percent Reason 46 Work related (must work full time, working two jobs) 15 Financial (don t want to take out loans, paying out of pocket) 15 Academic (just off probation, full time load was too much) 15 Family (have 5 children, have twins at home) 7 Depends on course availability

31 5 Were you ever a full time student? Percent Reason 5 Yes at one time (school work load too much, classes more meaningful when fewer of them, too scattered when full time) 5 Always a part time student

32 Which support services do you use? Percent Support Service 75 Faculty office hours 55 Tutoring 55 Counseling 5 Library 43 Clubs/Activities

33 Biggest difference between a part time and full time experience? Issue of FOCUS Being a part time student allows me to focus on fewer classes which contributes to my success As a part time student my focus is divided between school and work/family which decreases the likelihood I will be successful

34 Student Survey Results November 214 (14% response rate, 78 surveys)

35 Survey Highlights Findings 92% Report that GRCC classes are available at the times/locations that students need 86% Report that needed college services (Bookstore, Counseling, Advision, Tutoring, Financial Aids, Cashier s Office, Student Clubs/Organizations) are available at times/locations that students need 83% Travel alone to campus by car 76% Take most of their classes on main campus 4% Take classes during the morning only, 32% evening only

36 Survey Highlights Findings 92% Report that GRCC classes are available at the times/locations that students need 86% Report that needed college services (Bookstore, Counseling, Advision, Tutoring, Financial Aids, Cashier s Office, Student Clubs/Organizations) are available at times/locations that students need 83% Travel alone to campus by car 76% Take most of their classes on main campus 7% Report job/employment situation is why they attend part time

37 Survey Highlights Findings 52% Study alone on campus when not in class 46% Report they visit Tutoring center or computer labs 45% Have always been part time students, 32% were once full timers, 23% switch back and forth 4% Take classes during the morning only, 32% evening only 37% Believe they do better academically when they attend part time 36% Leave campus immediately after class 29% Can t afford to attend full time