Academic support programs

The Center for Learning and Student Success (CLASS) offers Supplemental Instruction (SI), peer tutoring, and Student Success Groups (SSGs).

Select courses are supported by the Learning Assistant (LA) program, offered by the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL).

What is the difference between SI, tutoring, Learning Assistance, and SSGs?

All of these services are forms of peer academic support offered through the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) with varying degrees of structure.

SI sessions are 50-minute structured sessions that incorporate the SI leader's session plan. SI sessions incorporate collaborative learning techniques and learning strategies that encourage students to participate and work together to solve problems. No appointments are needed.

Tutoring is also collaborative and encourages students to work together. Tutoring sessions are smaller and less structured, since there is no session plan.

Learning Assistance takes place in the classroom and all students participate and benefit. Students work on problems and content in a discussion-based environment, facilitated by the Learning Assistants (LAs).

Tutors, SI leaders, and LAs go through extensive training across the Center for Teaching and Learning. All students in LA and non-LA course sections are encouraged to utilize both SI and tutoring to learn efficient study strategies and excel in their courses.

The Center for Learning and Student Success (CLASS) is introducing a new academic support program, titled Student Success Groups (SSG). This program will involve small groups of students that will have scheduled meeting times with an SSG leader. The SSG leader will lead an assigned number of study sessions per week for each cohort of students.

At the beginning of the semester, students will sign up for a cohort that will have scheduled meeting times and locations. Once students sign up for a cohort, they are required to attend and participate in their cohort throughout the semester.

How does the center select and/or prioritize new course additions to the SI program?

CLASS selects and prioritizes courses based on current and historical DFW rates. CLASS also takes into consideration faculty and student interest in SI. We work in concert with the other academic support units to make sure that we are providing the right amount of academic support with our limited resources.

How does the center prioritize the continuation of previously selected SI courses?

CLASS prioritizes the continuation of previously selected SI courses based on overall student attendance at the SI sessions, DFW rates, budget, and priority courses selected by the Dean of Undergraduate Studies.

What makes CLASS qualified to train SI leaders and tutors?

CLASS is a two-time award-winning learning center through the International College Learning Center Association. CLASS is a College Reading and Learning Association certified center and can certify tutors as Level 1, Level 2 (Advanced), and Level 3 (Master) tutors.

CLASS staff have undergone SI supervisor training through the University of Missouri-Kansas City’s International Center for Supplemental Instruction. CLASS professional staff are here to evaluate and grow the SI program.

What does having an SI leader mean for faculty members?

If an SI leader has been provided for your course, you will have the SI leader in attendance for all course lectures. SI leaders are model students and will be present in class. SI leaders will hold 50-minute sessions a few times a week, either before or after lecture and will hold an exam review before each exam. Your SI leader will also make a weekly announcement in class about their SI sessions, locations, and times. SI leaders will be communicating to the class via email, sharing their SI session plans, and exam review times. Although this is not a teaching assistant who can administer and grade work, the SI leader is in class to help, pass out handouts, and support the instructor during class with non-graded work.

How do faculty members support the SI program?

Faculty members support the SI program in multiple ways both inside and outside of the course. Responsibilities include (in descending order of time commitment): Meet with the SI leaders on a weekly basis for handout review and general inquiries; Collaborate with the CLASS office on program assessment and programmatic improvements; Provide time in weekly lectures for SI announcements; Add the SI leader into their Canvas course, so the SI leader can access course materials.

Do faculty attend SI sessions? What is the required weekly time commitment?

Faculty do not attend SI sessions of their own course and SI leader because the SI session is meant to be a different environment than the classroom, where students are leading the discussion. Faculty, however, are welcome to sit in on an SI session in another course they are not directly involved with.

The required weekly time for faculty is about 1-2 hours per week to meet with the SI leader and provide feedback and guidance on the SI handouts.

How to learn more about SI in general and specifics related to the SI program at Florida Atlantic?

You can learn more about the history and scope of SI through the International Center for Supplemental Instruction: https://info.umkc.edu/si/faq/

Please reach out to class@fau.edu if you would like to see student grade data from previous semesters comparing SI courses versus non-SI courses.

You can also email class@fau.edu to schedule a time to meet with a member of professional staff to explain the benefits and responsibilities related to the SI program.

For newly participating faculty or faculty who want to get more involved, the CLASS office may be able to fund professional development opportunities such as a local learning center conference or a training through the International Center for Supplemental Instruction.