Dr Neil Williams Faculty Director of Feedback and Student Experience | Kingston University Academic Probation Programme Background and Aims The Academic

Dr Neil Williams Faculty Director of Feedback and Student Experience | Kingston University

Academic Probation Programme

Background and Aims

The Academic Probation Programme

Evaluation

Future Challenges

Dr Neil Williams

Faculty of Science, Engineering and Computing, Kingston University

Academic Probation Programme | Dr Neil Williams| Kingston University

Background

Faculty of Science Engineering and Computing

• In 2010-11 level 4 and 5 transitions most problematic.

• Diverse intake 40% or more Non Traditional Entrants for many courses.

• Poor level 5 progression- only 60-70% for some courses.


What is Academic Probation?

Common in US universities

“Students are placed on academic probation if their cumulative GPA falls below 2.0.”

Students are also placed on academic probation if their "term" or semester UC GPA falls below 1.5 for one semester.


KU Academic Probation Programme

Aims

• Identify all students in level 4 and 5 who had failed 50% or more of their credits in Semester 1

• Design and deliver a programme to improve academic engagement and performance of struggling students.


Letter to students

…….you are expected to undergo an Academic Probation Programme.

You are required to follow a support programme that has been developed to help improve your academic performance and show the Faculty that you are fully engaged with your studies.

Failure to engage with the academic probation programme may influence decisions on opportunities for reassessment or repeat of modules.



Elements of Support Programme

1

• Complete an Academic Self-Assessment Exercise (ASAE)

2

• Discuss their ASAE with their Personal Tutor

3• Attend an Academic Success Workshop

4

• Visit Academic Skills Centre S³ with a draft assessment


Work Obstacles

Time management

Financial issues

Personal Issues

Lack of study skills

Assessments

Classes

Academic Self-Assessment exercise




This self assessment is a modification of that developed by Baylor University and that developed by Brigham Young University


Academic Success Workshop (ASW)

Effective learning strategies/ study skills;

Resources and support available to students;

University regulations on reassessment, progression and dismissal-


2F APP attended 2F No APP 3F APP attended 3F No APP0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Academic Probation ProgrammeSEC Level 5 students

Progress L6

Fail No Repeat

Number of Sem 1 Fails and APP attendance

%

stu

de

nts

n= 67 n=38 n=33 n=31


2F APP attended 2F No APP 3F APP attended 3F No APP0

10

20

30

40

50

60

75% credits failed

Progress L6

Fail No Repeat

Number of Sem 1 Fails and APP attendance

%

stu

de

nts

n= 67 n=38 n=33 n=31


Level 5 2011-12

APP att n=progress

% Repeat

% Fail %<1 sem B

fail2 Fails

No 38 32 58 11 52% yes 67 49 45 6 72% 3 Fails No 32 9 53 41 Yes 31 32 52 16 4 Fails No 10 0 20 80 Yes 3 0 33 33 w and S 15


APP in 2012-3

Reduced funding Only level 5 students Less strongly worded communication


Engagement

2012 2013 20140

50

100

150

200

250

300

invited engaged

Year

No

of

stu

de

nts


2013-4 Support for Academic Progression

Restructured academic year, year long modules.

Monitoring of progress even more important but

Difficulty in Identifying failing/unengaged


Identifying unengaged students 2013

Absences from classes. Non-submission of coursework (formative or

summative). Non-engagement with the Personal Tutor

Scheme.


2013-4 Support for Academic Progression

Current and future challenges.

Documents

Dr Neil Williams Faculty Director of Feedback and Student Experience | Kingston University Academic Probation Programme Background and Aims The Academic