Supplemental Instruction

What is Supplemental Instruction?

Supplemental Instruction (SI) is a method of academic support that has proven effective in improving student academic success in courses with traditionally high dropout and withdrawal rates. SI is provided in some classes at Fayetteville State University. In this program, SI Leaders provide three one-hour sessions of academic support each week. Since the SI Leader attends class, he or she knows what the course instructor has covered in class. SI Leaders reinforce the knowledge and skills required by the class.

Impact of SI on Student Success:

  • Students who participate in Supplemental Instruction earn higher mean final grades that those who do not participate, regardless of ethnicity or prior academic achievement of the students.
  • Students who participate in SI have a lower percentage of withdrawals and final grades of D or F than students who do not participate in SI, regardless of ethnicity or prior academic achievement of the students.
  • Students who participate in SI have higher retention and graduation rates than those who do not participate, regardless of ethnicity or prior academic achievement of the students.

Role of Faculty Members:

Participation by faculty members in SI is completely voluntary. Those who agree to participate will be expected to:

  • Help identify qualified students to serve as SI leaders.
  • Meet for one hour each week with the SI leader to give directions on information, concepts, and questions to be covered in the SI session each week. Information covered during SI sessions should reinforce the most essential and difficult information covered in the class during the week.
  • Encourage and persuade students, especially students performing poorly in the class, to attend SI sessions.
  • Permit the SI leader to announce in class the times and locations for SI instruction.
  • Provide data to the SI Coordinator regarding student attendance at SI and final course grades.

Student Assessment

The SI program is assessed by comparing final course grades to student participation in SI. The percentage of students with final grades of A, B, or C are compared to the percentages prior to the implementation of SI. Faculty, SI leaders, and participating students are also asked to evaluate the program.