Though many colleges and universities claim to be driven by missions that highlight access, equity, and student success, academic policy and practice do not always mirror these claims. American higher education institutions are "obsessed with smartness" (Astin, 2017), yet fail to support educational attainment in an equitable manner.…

During the 21st century, more students have been enrolled in U.S. higher education than ever before. These individuals are entering postsecondary education from more diverse backgrounds and with a much broader range of overall goals, values, and skills than their peers before them. As first-year students begin to navigate higher education, they…

In this descriptive study, the use of a midsemester Success Workshop is evaluated within the context of the persistence and motivation of students placed on academic probation in a state university between 2005 and 2010. Elements of the Success Workshop are described. The self-assessments, workshop evaluation results, and other institutional data…

In 2003, the Legislature passed Senate Bill 5135, which directed each public four-year college and university and the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) to develop policies to ensure that undergraduates complete their degree and certificate programs in a timely manner. These policies were to address students who do the…

The impact of the reforms instituted at Miami-Dade Community College (MDCC) during the past 5 years is examined in this report. After noting the success of the Academic Alert program in providing earlier classroom assessment and feedback to students, the report looks at the influences of the reinstatement of placement testing for…

College administrators who suspend or dismiss students who do not meet the institution's minimum academic performance standards must identify and develop sound reinstatement policies based on clearly defined criteria which measure an individual's ability to succeed. Such policies are necessary to allow potential graduates to complete their studies…

A study was conducted at Queensborough Community College (QCC) to determine whether selected academic variables associated with the way students completed their curriculum differentiated successful (graduated) from unsuccessful (probationary) open admissions students. The study investigated the effects on students' success of the early completion…

These two papers describe the City Colleges of Chicago's (CCC's) efforts to improve their developmental programs and services. First, a series of experimental programs designed to improve students' basic skills are outlined, including: (1) programs leading to a high school diploma and subsequent CCC enrollment offered by the Chicago Urban Skills…

This report reviews some of the comprehensive changes made by Miami-Dade Community College (MDCC) in its general education curriculum and overall academic environment, focusing specifically on the implementation of standards of academic progress, designed to monitor student progress and provide appropriate support. The report begins by examining…

A trial program at Montana State University (MSU) was designed to enhance students' chances for academic success by running an experimental seminar for students suspended for the first time. A unique problem exists for MSU students suspended at the end of the spring quarter. Since summer school is not a quarter, those suspended for the first time…

Between spring 1992 and spring 1995, California's Southwestern College (SWC) conducted a study on the characteristics of students on academic or progress probation. The study was done as part of the Matriculation Research and Evaluation Plan to assess academic outcomes for SWC students. The report explores the demographic and educational…

A research project was conducted at Brevard Community College, Florida, to evaluate the influence of non-punitive grading (i.e., I for incomplete and W for withdrawal) on student grade point averages (GPA's) and to determine faculty attitudes toward the factors which influence the GPA and students' eligibility for academic performance categories…

Active between 1993 and 1996, the Promoting Academic Student Success (PASS) Program was aimed at reducing the high percentage of failure experienced by academic probation students at Corning Community College (New York). These students typically came from non supportive environments, possessed academic deficiencies, and suffered from feelings of…