March 8, 2014 | SharkAdmin [image 1]SENSE, otherwise known as the Survey of Entering Student Engagement, has been designed as a companion student survey to the Community College Survey of Student Engagement. Northwest Vista administers the SENSE survey each fall to approximately 700 first time in college students each fall about the third week of classes. The most recent survey in fall 2013 indicated some improvements in student perception. [image 2] The highest marks come in engage learning, academic and social support network, and high expectations and aspirations. The areas needing the most work appear to be clear academic plan and pathways, early connections, and effective track to college readiness. Individual questions on the survey indicated top scores related to supplemental instruction, tutoring and skill labs and active learning in the classroom. Lowest scores relate to the questions in the chart below. Note, however, that the perception appears to be improving. [image 3] With our focus on improving the overall advising experience, which of course will take all of our thinking, we expect to continue improving. Our goal is to exceed the benchmarks within two years. I thought for your spring break (or later) reading you might enjoy reading the CCSSE publication entitled Aspirations to Achievement: Men of Color and Community Colleges. It contains some interesting and encouraging data and analysis: http://www.ccsse.org/docs/MoC_Special_Report.pdf. Have an enjoyable read and a safe and restful spring break.
