Supplemental Instruction's Impact in Two Freshman Chemistry Classes: Research, Modes of Operation, and Anecdotes

Abstract Colleges and universities have employed Supplemental Instruction (SI) programs to promote retention and success of students in courses identified as "historically-difficult." SI sessions typically consist of a trained undergraduate SI leader meeting with groups of students to refine problem solving techniques and the study skills essential for learning the subject matter. While much has been written about the positive impact of SI on student academic performance and retention, the students who attend SI sessions represent only one of four important components that make an SI program work. The other components of a successful SI program are the SI coordinator, the SI leader, and the SI faculty member who teaches the course to which SI sessions are attached. While there are many benefits of an SI program, the benefits are even greater if a faculty member is open and receptive to understanding what are the techniques used by SI leaders in SI sessions to promote learning. This article will describe outcomes between student SI participants and non-SI participants in introductory chemistry courses with SI components at the University of Central Florida (UCF). These outcomes include higher final course grade averages, more final grades of A, B, and C and fewer grades of D, F, and withdrawals. Background on the Supplemental Instruction (SI) Program Supplemental Instruction (SI) began in 1973 at the University of Missouri at Kansas City in the medical school as an academic assistance and retention program (Blanc, DeBuhr, & Martin, 1983). After a rigorous review process in 1981, SI became one of the few postsecondary programs to be designated by the U.S. Department of Education as an Exemplary Educational Program, that is, it was actually proven to increase retention and academic performance (National Center for Supplemental Instruction, 1997). SI was so successful in achieving its aims that the federal government's National Diffusion Network (NDN), the national dissemination agency for the U.S. Department of Education, provided federal funds for dissemination of SI until the NDN was discontinued by the U.S. government. (National Center for Supplemental Instruction, 1997) The SI Model SI is a proactive, non-remedial, academic assistance program that focuses on historically-difficult courses and not on high-risk students. A historically-difficult course is one in which 1/3 or more of those enrolled typically earn grades of D, F, or withdraw. The emphasis in SI is on helping students acquire and refine the college level learning skills indispensable to mastering college level course content. SI sessions are led by peers called SI leaders, who are especially trained to help students refine how to learn the course content, understand course content, and become independent learners. SI leaders are undergraduate students who have a minimum 3.0 GPA and who have earned an "A" in the historically-difficult course targeted for SI support or equivalent coursework. The grade of "A" suggests that this student has mastered the course content, but more importantly, it demonstrates that s/he has mastered the college level study skills that it takes to learn the course content. A major goal of SI leaders and the SI program is to help students learn how to learn the content of the course in order to achieve the level of mastery and excellence that each student chooses. Some of the basic requirements for becoming an SI leader in addition to the 3.0 GPA and an "A" in the course are well-developed interpersonal skills, a desire to help others succeed, a willingness to learn a new style of leadership, good communication skills, the ability to accept feedback and refine leadership behaviors, availability to attend pre-semester training (2 days), and availability to invest the required 10 hours per week for SI leader responsibilities. SI leaders must fill out an application and complete a screening and interview process with the SI supervisor. …