Reading Time: 4 minutesParent–school partnerships are often discussed as a matter of engagement or goodwill, yet their real impact on student success depends on how deliberately they are designed. In many education systems, family involvement is treated as an optional add-on rather than as an integral component of academic support infrastructure. This distinction matters. When partnerships are left […]

Reading Time: 4 minutesAcross higher education, institutions continue to invest significant resources into tutoring centers, supplemental instruction, advising services, and first-year programs. Yet many campuses still struggle with low retention and uneven student outcomes—especially among students labeled as “underprepared.” One reason is that academic support is often added reactively rather than designed intentionally. When support exists as a […]

Reading Time: 7 minutesSupplemental Instruction (SI) can strengthen learning outcomes, improve persistence, and support students in challenging “gateway” courses—without requiring a full course redesign. The key is integration: aligning SI with your syllabus, coordinating with instructors, and building a consistent student experience that feels like a natural extension of the course rather than an optional add-on. This guide […]

Reading Time: 6 minutesWhy Bridge Programs Matter for Incoming Students First-year students arrive with widely different levels of preparation. Some have taken advanced courses, attended college-prep schools, or had extensive access to tutoring. Others may be first-generation college students, recent immigrants, returning adults, or learners from under-resourced schools. If institutions treat all of them as equally ready, the […]

Reading Time: 7 minutesColleges and universities have been investing in early-alert systems for more than a decade, hoping to identify at-risk students before they fail or drop out. Yet many of these systems generate more noise than impact: too many alerts, too little context, and no clear path to effective support. The result is frustration for faculty, “alert […]

Reading Time: 14 minutesReprinted from the Journal of Developmental Education, Volume 21, Issue 3, Spring, 1998. Abstract: The results of a national study suggest how technology can improve education for developmental students. Currently, much of college teaching is dominated by an ancient paradigm typified by the lecture method. Similarly, much of today’s technology presents information to students and reinforces […]

Reading Time: 2 minutesIntroduction Learning support programs are essential for helping students overcome academic, social, and emotional challenges. But how do we know these programs are actually working? Assessment is key. In this article, we’ll explore the importance of evaluating your support programs, what to measure, and how to use that data to make lasting improvements. What Are […]

Reading Time: 3 minutesThe first year of college is a make-or-break period for many students — especially those who enter with academic preparation gaps. While many institutions offer academic support, too often these services are limited in reach, reliant on individual staff energy, or disconnected from academic programming. In this article, we explore how to design a scalable, […]

Reading Time: < 1 minuteStudent Success and Retention Strategies Library A curated hub of research-backed resources on student retention, peer tutoring, supplemental instruction, motivation, and developmental education. Explore practical guides, PDFs, and overviews designed to help instructors improve persistence, engagement, and learning outcomes. Retention & Persistence: evidence-based frameworks and first-year success insights Peer & Supplemental Instruction: definitions, models, and […]

Reading Time: 3 minutesStudent retention has become one of the most important indicators of educational success. It reflects how well schools, colleges, and universities can keep students enrolled and engaged until they complete their programs. Retention is not only a measure of academic quality but also a signal of institutional health, student satisfaction, and long-term societal benefits. This […]