Education

University of Colorado – Colorado Springs

Strengthening Institutions Program

Summative Evaluation

Overview

The Strengthening Institutions Program (SIP) grant was awarded to the University of Colorado – Colorado Springs (UCCS) to support the retention and success of students who are at risk of dropping out of higher education in their freshman year. These supports include:

  • Summer bridge program that is designed to provide students with resources and tools to help navigate their higher education experience
  • Redesigned courses that implement evidence based and student-centered pedagogy
  • Early Alert System that notifies faculty if a student is falling behind and helps coordinate support

Evaluation Approach

Evaluators are conducting a mixed methods approach.   Quantitative analysis provides evidence of program effectiveness related to trends in student retention, academic success, persistence, and graduation rates over the life of the program (2014-2021). In-depth interviews with students provide invaluable insights to better understand the factors essential to supporting high-need freshmen.

Evaluators are facilitating a shared data interpretation session with program leaders to prioritize program outcomes to be included in a dissemination of results.

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Timeline

Complete

(2020 – 2021)

 

POPULATION SERVED

Incoming freshmen who could benefit from additional academic support

 

Funder

Department of Education