goals of learning communities

October 6, 2009

GOALS OF LEARNING COMMUNITIES

http://undergrad.wayne.edu/ppt/lc2009.ppt

Learning Community Goals• To support Wayne State University’s

commitment to student learning.• To enhance our undergraduates’ experience.• To offer dynamic, focused communities.• To provide a place where students, staff and

faculty can learn and grow together.

Features associated with strong learning communities

• Discussion groups and integrative assignments • Activities out of class • Peer advisors • Residential communities • Majority of classes together • Course or discussion groups • Integrative assignments across courses

Significant increases in both first- and second-year retention!

Retention is even stronger for Learning Communities.

• African American retention up 12.8 points in one year!

Retention is even stronger for African American and Caucasian Students in Learning

Communities.

Retention is also strong for other groups in learning communities.

Year 1-YearF 2004 48.3%F 2005 51.4%F 2007 59.5%F2008 87.1%

Chicano-Boricua Studies - CBS

Special Admissions ProgramsSpecial Admissions Programs

• Record for DCE – Learning communities fully integrated into program

• Both CBS and TRIO up substantially

• Big gains among lower-ACT students

Gains in lower-ACT students are evident in learning community students.

FTIAC Learning CommunitiesFTIAC Learning Communities(Compare to 76.1%)(Compare to 76.1%)

FTIAC Retention for Selected LC’sBusiness 75.0%Comerica Scholars 85.1%DCE 65.2%Engineering Bridge 81.7%ESP 90.0%Honors 92.9%Motown 81.3%LS Amp 85.7%Math Corp 96.7%Pre-Med 93.3%TRIO – All 80.3%TRIO – Math 75.5%Other FTIAC CohortsiStart 2008 80.9%Presidential Scholars 95.2%Residence Halls 79.1%University Prep 73.3%Wayne Scholars 86.8%

• All African American FTIACs: 69.6%• All White FTIACs: 79.0%• All FTIACs: 76.1%