Design, evaluation, and impact of probationary student re.pptVIP

Facilitating Probationary Students Success: Design, Evaluation, and Impact of Probationary Student Re-Orientation Esau Tovar ? Merril A. Simon Presentation for the 2004 NACADA Pacific Region Conference Pasadena, CA ? April 21-23, 2004 Contact Information Esau Tovar, M.S. Faculty Leader/Counselor, Assessment Center Project Director, Student Enhancement Educational Research Project Santa Monica College 1900 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90405 (310) 434-4012 tovar_esau@ Merril A. Simon, Ph.D. Assistant Professor, Educational Psychology and Counseling California State University Northridge 18111 Nordhoff St. Northridge, CA 91330-8265 merril.simon@ Note: A full report addressing the design, evaluation, and outcomes of this project can be found at: /tovar_esau/esauprof/SEER%20Counseling%20Based%20Interventions.doc Presentation Abstract Budgetary constraints continually force colleges to design more effective interventions to serve the most students possible. With up to 35% of first-time students at this urban, diverse, public California community college ending up on probation after their first semester, a probationary student “re-orientation” was developed to address their specific needs. Participants attended a two-hour orientation (based on collaborative/problem-based learning) by engaging them in small group counseling discussions on factors leading to their poor academic performance; readiness, motivation, and commitment for college; understanding institutional expectations; balancing personal, academic, and social commitments; and connecting with students and faculty. Compared to controls, participants were retained, persisted, made greater academic gains, and overcame probation to a significantly higher degree. Orientation content and methods will be shared.  Presentation Objectives Participants will leave session with a better understanding on how to work with at-risk college students. Participants will leave session with concrete ideas on ho