Description of the Study Sessions Program

The Study Sessions program is a STEM retention program based on Supplemental Instruction (SI), a peer assisted study model developed by Dr. Deanna C. Martin, Ph.D., at the University of Missouri-Kansas City in 1973(www.umkc.edu/cad/SI/Index.htm). Study Sessions help students in high risk courses to master course contents, develop and integrate learning and study strategies. They offer students the opportunity to attend regularly scheduled, out-of-class review sessions, in addition to the regular instruction and tutoring. They are facilitated by trained professional tutors who encourage the students to process the material rather than acting as an authority figure who lecture to participants. Five study sessions will be offered for students enrolled in specific high-risk Oakton courses including precalculus, calculus, College Physics and College Chemistry. Participation is voluntary and open to all students in the course. Two hours of Study Sessions per week will be available for each participating course section. Times will be scheduled based on student surveys conducted during the first week of class. Assistance begins during the first week of a semester, before students encounter problems. Non-participating students in participating sections will form the Study Sessions control group.

The program is offered only in classes in which the instructors invite, support and encourage participation in the program. Facilitators will communicate with instructors frequently about course content and about issues raised by students during sessions. The instructors of the courses will regularly share of student grades with the Study Sessions program director. The instructors will not know which students have participated in Study Sessions so students' grades can not be influenced. Before assigned to Study Sessions, facilitators will participate in intensive eight-hour training sessions which occur prior to the beginning of a semester to address student learning styles, instructional strategies for strengthening students' academic performance, specific teaching/learning theory and techniques data collection, confidentiality and interacting with faculty members.