Give Students a Compass
Continuing Research on High-Impact Practices
A Mixed Method Analysis of High-Impact Practices on Student Learning for Historically Underrepresented Students
AAC&U is initiating a research project, funded by the TG Public Benefit Grant Program, to examine undergraduate data from universities across the three Compass state systems (California State University System, Oregon University System, and University of Wisconsin System). The project will investigate the impact of engaged learning on traditionally underrepresented populations, specifically low-income, first-generation, and minority students.
AAC&U has gathered student-level data on engaged learning from the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) and received IRB approval from thirty-eight institutions in the participating systems. AAC&U staff will conduct an analysis using these data; gather supplemental data through student focus groups on the Compass Beta Campuses; hold meetings with key stakeholders to discuss preliminary findings; disseminate findings in a final report; and convene a one-day meeting with administrators and faculty leaders from the three systems to identify strategies to improve student learning.
Anticipated Timeline for the Project
DATE |
ACTIVITY |
Fall 2011 |
Submit IRB Paperwork to Nine Focus Group Campuses in Participating State Systems |
| January 2012 |
Obtain IRB Approval and Identify Campus Liaisons to Coordinate Focus Groups |
| February – March 2012 |
Conduct Student Focus Groups and Meet with Key Campus Stakeholders |
| May – June 2012 |
Analyze Focus Group Transcriptions and Begin Synthesis of Findings |
| July – August 2012 |
Develop Final Report |
| September 2012 |
Convene Participating System and Campus Leaders; Disseminate findings to AAC&U Community |
AAC&U Project Staff: Susan Albertine, Tia McNair, Ashley Finley, and Caleb Ward.
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