Freshman Inquiry Retention Preliminary Findings Sukhwant Jhaj, Rowanna Carpenter University Studies Portland State University
Dec 24, 2014
Freshman Inquiry Retention Preliminary Findings
Sukhwant Jhaj, Rowanna CarpenterUniversity StudiesPortland State University
Evolving Assessment Structure
Prior Learning Survey --Student background characteristics--Student rating of academic skills--Student current life situation
End of Year Survey--Course evaluation--Academic Plans--Satisfaction
E-Portfolio Assessment--Student learning re: UNST goals
Evolving Assessment Structure
Prior Learning Survey
End of Year Survey
E-Portfolio Assessment
University Student Data Warehouse - Student Retention - Academic Performance
Evolving Assessment Structure
• Enhanced collaboration with OIRP through unique Assessment Associate position
• Connections among data sources, institutional and departmental projects.
Focus on First-Time Freshmen in FRINQ• 1190 Freshmen
– Admitted to PSU for Fall 2007– Enrolled in a FRINQ course Fall term– Includes both full-time and part-time students– NOT
• Honors, Liberal Studies, Pre-nursing or others not required to take UNST
• Freshmen entering with >30 credits• 1008 completed the Prior Learning Survey
– 84.7% response rate
FRINQ Student ProfileFall 2007 FRINQ Student Profile
47.3%52.7%
4.3%12.6%
65.8%
5.7%0.8%
7.0% 4.7% 1.8% 2.5% 5.1%11.1%
79.4%
46.7%53.3%
68.60%
18.30%12.40%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Ma
le
Fe
ma
le
Afr
ica
nA
me
rica
nA
sia
n/P
ac
Isla
nd
er
Ca
uca
sia
n
His
pa
nic
Na
tive
Am
eri
can
Mu
ltip
le
No
tre
po
rte
dO
the
r 4
-ye
ar
Co
mm
un
ityC
olle
ge
Oth
er
Wo
rkin
g
Hig
hsc
ho
ol
No
BA
BA
or
hig
he
r1
8 o
rb
elo
w
19
Ove
r 1
9
Gender Ethnicity Before PSU Parents'Education
Age
N=1190
Academic Preparedness/Plan FRINQ Students' Academic Plans Fall 2007-2008
77.2%
6.4%13.6%
78.0%
6.9%13.6%
0.0%
20.0%
40.0%
60.0%
80.0%
PSU bachelors Transfer Not sure
N2007=1190, N2008=1251
2007
2008
Student Success
Academic Preparedness/Plan
• Students who reported intending to graduate from PSU had a higher fall-to-fall retention rate than others.
• First-generation students tended to leave between fall and winter terms.
• Students who have high school GPA below 3.0 tended to have lower fall-to-fall retention.
Fall 2008 Status
Retained at PSU
Not enrolled at
PSU
Total % n % n %
Overall 1190 100 775 65.2 415 34.8
Immediate Ed Plan**
PSU bachelors 771 77.0 534 69.3 237 30.7
Transfer 65 6.5 38 58.5 27 41.5
Not sure 138 13.8 77 55.8 61 44.2
*Students admitted for Fall 2007 with freshman status
**Figures do not add to Total because some students did not answer this question on the survey.
FRINQ First-Time Freshmen* Retention at PSU
Fall 2007-Fall 2008
FRINQ First-Time Freshmen* Retention at PSU
Fall 2007-Fall 2008 Fall 2008 Status
Retained at
PSU Not enrolled at
PSU
Total % n % n %
Overall 1190 100 775 65.2 415 34.8
HS GPA
<=3.0 329 29.0 184 55.9 145 44.1
3.01-3.50 490 43.2 331 67.6 159 32.4
3.51+ 323 28.5 231 71.5 92 28.5
*Students admitted for Fall 2007 with freshman status
Financial Resources
• There appeared to be no difference in retention based on income status (Pell Grant and other need-based aid eligible v. Not eligible)
• Students who report finances as a top concern tended to have a lower retention rate than those who reported academics as a top concern.
Financial ResourcesFRINQ Students' Top Concerns Fall 2007 - Fall 2008
31.7%
52.9%
15.4%
32.3%
50.6%
16.8%
0.0%
20.0%
40.0%
60.0%
80.0%
Finances AcademicPerformance
Other
N2007=1190, N2008=1251
2007
2008
Fall 2008 Status
Retained at
PSU Not enrolled
at PSU
Total % n % n %
Overall 1190 100 775 65.2 415 34.8
Top Concern**
Finances 318 31.9 191 60.1 127 39.9
Ac. Perf. 524 52.6 371 70.8 153 29.2
*Students admitted for Fall 2007 with freshman status
**Figures do not add to Total because some students did not answer this question on the survey.
FRINQ First-Time Freshmen* Retention at PSU
Fall 2007-Fall 2008
Connectedness
• Support from friends and family tended to be related to higher retention.
• Living on campus seemed to be related to lower retention for first-generation students.
Assessment to Action – Student Support
• Early identification of students at risk.• Ongoing communication with all students.
– Biweekly emails– University Studies’ Students First
Success System and research group• Quick intervention when needed.
– Course Progress Notification
Assessment to Action-Campus Connections
• Faculty research group formed by Director of University Studies to direct research
• Collaboration with Student Affairs• Retention initiative
Thank YouRowanna Carpenter
Assessment AssociateUniversity Studies
Portland State [email protected]
Sukhwant JhajDirector
University StudiesPortland State University