(272) An Evidence-Based Approach to Identify Student Success Strategies: Focus on Individualized Reassessment

Objective : Describe a process for engaging faculty in evaluating feasibility and designing/implementing evidence-based strategies to improve student success. Highlight one successful outcome of this process, individualized reassessment (IR).

Methods: Small faculty groups were assigned one of five strategies to improve student success (promoting student success; operationalizing alternative progression strategies; changing course formats/curricular structure; increasing student support services for at-risk students; and exploring utility of readiness assessments). Each group used evidence to describe and recommend their ‘top three’ solutions for their assigned strategy. Out of 15 overall recommendations, the top four student success solutions identified through survey of faculty were: 1.) P1 Bridging Course; 2.) IR; 3.) converting P1 year to pass/fail; and 4.) diversifying assessments. Following a feasibility study, the College implemented all strategies, except a change to pass/fail, during academic year 2021-2022. Specific to IR, students earning final course grades of 59.5-72.4% are eligible for the process, which takes place after the conclusion of the semester. They are reassessed on the material included in assessments worth >10% of the final course grade and for which they earned < 72.5%. Attendance at targeted remediation sessions (20 minutes/1 hour of class time) with faculty are required.

Results: While anecdotally it appears that the strategies, collectively, have had a positive impact on student success, the immediate findings of IR are clearly observable. Compared to the on-time course progression with prior endeavors (42.8% in fall semester; 70% in spring semester), after initiating this new IR strategy, rates increased to 77% and 91%, respectively.

Conclusions: Despite the impact on faculty workload at the conclusion of the semester, this new IR process has resulted in improved on-time progression for students.