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Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania
First Year Initiative (FYI) Survey - Fall 2007 Results
Perceptions of Student Learning Outcomes for FYRST Seminar
Executive Summary Report
A plethora of national research and experience shows that the offering of targeted seminars for first-year students correlates with more student success beyond such factors as GPA and retention; however, the base for evidence becomes more unclear. What effects does Freshman Seminar have on shaping students' views and behaviors in the first year of college, across the curriculum, the co-curriculum, and beyond?
The First-Year Initiative (FYI) Survey was administrated to students at the end of the FYRST Seminar to provide program coordinators and FYRST Seminar faculty with feedback regarding learning outcomes. The survey includes perceptions of the first year of college, perceived gains in academic skills, and self-reported behaviors related to FYRST Seminar issues. The FYI Survey Project is designed to provide comparative student feedback for institutions that offer a freshman seminar specifically directed toward new incoming students.
The Policy Center on the First Year of College, supported by grants from the Atlantic Philanthropies and the Pew Charitable Trusts, and Educational Benchmarking, Inc. (EBI) are sponsors of the project. The analysis on the following pages of the FYRST Seminar provides input and support for institutional assessment and continuous improvement efforts. The analysis of responses for the other participating schools provides a comparative perspective and benchmarks on perceptions of students in similar first courses and seminars.
The purpose of the survey study was to understand Slippery Rock University's students' perceptions of the FYRST Seminar course. The survey is designed to be a diagnostic tool to assist us in developing a plan to improve the FYRST Seminar and the impact it has on our students.
The results should be reviewed in the context of the comparative data. Two thirds (66%) of students enrolled in a FYRST Seminar completed the survey (Total FYRST Students = 1450). The report results that follow review our institution’s performance in comparison to our ‘Select 6’ Institutions (n=4.918), our Carnegie Class (Masters/Comprehensive n=5,047), and all other participating institutions in the study (n=19,456).
The executive summary report highlights Slippery Rock University’s factor means and compares the mean scores with the breakout comparisons listed above. The mean scale score runs from 0 to 6. The carat up symbol denotes positive significance for the SRU scores as compared to the comparison group. The carat down symbol denotes positive significance for the comparison group as compared to the SRU group. The research is based on a belief that a pattern of correlation evidence is adequate to inform educational practice. The focus of FYI is on perceived student learning outcomes created by the first-year course, FYRST Seminar.
Slippery Rock University FYRST Seminar student learning outcome means were higher than the comparison group used in the survey, 'Carnegie Class Institutions on 13 of the 15 student learning outcome factors. These factors include:
- (Factor 1) course improved study strategies;
- (Factor 4) course improved connections with faculty;
- (Factor 5) course improved connections with peers;
- (Factor 6) course increased out-of-class engagement;
- (Factor 7) course improved knowledge of campus policies;
- (Factor 8) course improved knowledge of academic services;
- (Factor 9) course improved managing time/priorities;
- (Factor 10) course improved knowledge of wellness;
- (Factor 11) sense of belonging/acceptance;
- (Factor 12) usefulness of course readings;
- (Factor 13) satisfaction with college/university;
- (Factor 14) course included engaging pedagogy; and,
- (Factor 15) overall course effectiveness.
Institutional satisfaction ratings (Factor 13) were significantly higher for Slippery Rock University students on ALL questions which comprise this factor as compared to each of the comparison groups (Select 6, Carnegie Class, All Institutions). The statements of satisfaction with the university include the following statements:
- Student would recommend this university to a friend;
- Student wants to return to this university for the next term;
- Student’s college experience was a positive experience;
- Student’s college experience was a high-quality learning experience; and
- Comparing expense with the quality of education: Value of the investment made in the education at Slippery Rock University.
Additionally, FYRST Seminar course effectiveness ratings (Factor 15) were higher for Slippery Rock University students on ALL questions which comprise this factor as compared to each of the comparison groups (Select 6, Carnegie Class, All Institutions). The statements on FYRST Seminar effectiveness include the following statements:
- Student would recommend this course to other first-year students;
- Course contributed to the ability to adjust to the college social environment;
- Course contributed to the ability to succeed academically;
- Course covered topics important to student; and
- Course included interesting subject matter.
Should you have any questions regarding the assessment survey, please contact Amanda Yale, Associate Provost for Enrollment Services at ext 4868 or Cathy Brinjak, Director, Advisement Resources and FYRST Seminar/Learning Community Cluster Coordinator at ext 2009. The results can also be viewed on the institution’s accountability website and the Institutional Research Web Site and a full report is available at the link below.
2007 Fall First Year Initiative (FYI) Survey Results
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