Posted on Friday, January 26, 2024
Junior Jorge Fragoso, who has served as a Supplemental Instruction leader in Accounting for three semesters, takes pride in lending his expertise to help his peers achieve academic success.
“I love serving in this program and seeing how it benefits the participants,” he said. “It is a valuable resource on campus.”
Supplemental Instruction was developed out of the University of Missouri-Kansas City in 1973 and is utilized at more than 3,500 institutions.
LaGrange started with four SI courses in Fall 2022 and has since increased to nine SI courses in Spring 2024.
“The goal is to increase student persistence and retention to graduation,” said Dr. Brian Peterson, Vice President for Academic Affairs. “While not every student utilizes SI, over the last several semesters, data indicates that SI attendance improves student performance in the classroom, anywhere from a single grade step (B- to a B) to a full letter grade (B to an A).”
The current list of classes that have an SI component include Financial Accounting, Managerial Accounting, General Biology I, General Biology II, Principles of Economics, College Algebra (2 sections), Anatomy & Physiology and Intro to Statistics.
PACE Director Steve Kenner, who serves as the SI supervisor, said the program is implemented in academic courses that have a high rate of D-F-W grades.
“It integrates ‘what to learn’ with ‘how to learn,’ he said. “SI consists of regularly scheduled sessions—voluntary, out-of-class group study sessions driven by students' needs. These sessions are facilitated by trained peer leaders who utilize collaborative activities to ensure peer-to-peer interaction in small groups.”
Kenner said the program focuses on identifying difficult classes rather than high-risk students.
“We are developing a model of student support that will improve learning, increase retention rates and academic preparedness of students,” he said. “Students who attend SI sessions discover appropriate applications of learning strategies—note taking, problem solving, and test preparation—as they review difficult course content.”
The leaders, who serve vital roles in SI, must meet a specific set of qualifications, according to Kenner.
“They are students who have demonstrated competence in the course and have great facilitation skills,” he said. “As an SI Leader, they are required to attend all class sessions, model good student behavior, take notes, read all assigned material, conduct two one-hour SI sessions each week, develop a relationship with the faculty member whose course they are taking, and promote active processing of material. To be selected as a leader, students must be nominated by their professor, complete an online application and participate in an interview process with the SI Supervisor.”
Sophomore Zentrina Choice said working in the SI program has given her valuable experience that will help her as a future teacher.
“In my position, I work on planning sessions, being organized with scheduling and using time management to have effective one-hour sessions,” she said. “I also tap into my creative side since we use different learning strategies and activities for the students. This part is beneficial to keeping students engaged and making SI sessions unique.”
Kenner said the program has already been making a positive impact based on data from the previous semester.
“During the Fall semester of 2023, we demonstrated academic growth and development from the students who participated in our SI sessions. According to our data from the five SI courses we offered, the average GPA for the SI attendees was higher than the non-SI attendees.
For more information on Supplemental Instruction, email PACE@kongtiao11.com or visit the PACE office on the second floor of Lewis Library.
Film Professionals Panel
Tuesday, Jan. 30
11 a.m., Beason Recital Hall, West Side
MLK Speaker: LaGrange Mayor Willie Edmondson
Tuesday, Jan. 30
11 a.m., Bailey Room, Smith Hall
LaGrange Theatre Students Study Away in Ireland
Tuesday, Jan. 30
11:15 a.m., Corn Auditorium, Lewis Library
Safety Council Campus Update
Tuesday, Jan. 30
11:15 a.m., Dickson Assembly Room, Turner Hall
St. Olaf Choir concert
Thursday, Feb. 1
7:30 p.m., Callaway Auditorium
3D Journeys “Portugal and the Age of Discovery” with Dr. Joe Cafaro
Retired Professor of History Dr. Joe Cafaro delivers the first of three 3D Journeys lectures for 2024. With expert authority and humor, Dr. Cafaro covers the early voyages of Portuguese explorers and their search for a new trade route to India in “Portugal and the Age of Discovery.”
3-Stacy Ortiz, Communications and Marketing
4-Jeff Lukken, Social Sciences and Servant Scholars
6-Carla Esposito, Enrollment Management and Student Experience
7-Susan Mansour, Campus Auxiliary Services
11-Jamie Coen, Lewis Library
13-Terlynn Olds, Executive Leadership (Vice President for Athletics and Recreation)
21-Steve Kenner, PACE
21-Donald Livingston, Education
24-Ashley Jenkins, Enrollment Management and Student Experience (Chaplain’s Office)
Men’s Basketball
The Panthers won against the Huntingdon Hawks 100-96 on Saturday, Jan. 20. They also faced Belhaven this past Wednesday and won 73-70. The team will travel to Tennessee to face Maryville on Friday, Feb. 2.
Freshman Samuel Moss earned his fifth CCS Rookie of the Week award. This season, he has scored a career-high 33 points.
Women’s Basketball
LaGrange crushed Huntingdon 101-50 on Saturday, Jan. 20. They also played the Blazers of Belhaven and won 64-56 on Wednesday, Jan. 24. The team will play Wesleyan at home on Tuesday, Jan. 30, at 5:30 p.m.
(Please note that schedules may change due to circumstances beyond our control. Please check www.lagrangepanthers.com to confirm.)
Tuesday, Jan. 30 – Women’s Basketball (Home) vs. Wesleyan, 5:30 p.m., Mariotti Gym
Category: Academics, Students
Keywords: Education, Tutoring
