Long Beach City College has implemented a Supplemental
Instruction (SI) program to increase student retention. The
prototype of the program was developed at the University of
Missouri-Kansas City in the 1970s. The SI program avoids the
stigmatization of its attendees in that while students who seek out
tutorial assistance often feel “less capable,” SI identifies classes
rather than students as targets for the support it offers, making
its study sessions optional and available for all course enrollees.
The college has lately targeted math and science courses that
typically have a 70% or lower pass rate. In the SI Program, students
serve as peer instructors (called SI Leaders). The SI Leaders are
students who have previously taken and done well in the targeted
courses, or who have demonstrated expertise in the subject matter
area. SI Leaders sit in on the class and then offer two to three
optional study sessions per week for the enrolled students. The
study sessions reinforce the classroom instruction and allow
students to work on the class material in a safe environment,
typically in small groups. The SI Leaders have leeway to design
their own methods of reinforcing the class material and are paid a
stipend. The SI program is well received by instructors and
students, and it has improved pass rates in the identified classes.
The program was originally grant funded but is now supported by the
college.
For more information contact:
Chris Glover, Tutorial Program Coordinator
Learning and Academic Resources
Long Beach City College
c2glover@lbcc.edu