Supplemental Instruction Program Overview
What is SI?
Supplemental Instruction is a free academic assistance program, which helps students incorporate “how to learn” with “what to learn.” The Supplemental Instruction Program targets historically difficult courses and places an SI Leader inside the classroom.
Is SI remedial?
SI is not for remedial students or courses. SI serves as a “safety net” for students who want to continue to succeed and thrive in academics, those who want to maintain their desired GPA, and those who want to improve academically. SI is for everyone enrolled in the SI course section; it costs nothing and helps students. SI is designed to reduce attrition rates and increase retention rates.
Is SI the same as tutoring?
No. SI is designed to work with academic study groups. Tutoring is usually designed for one-on-one content review. The SI Leader knows exactly what the students cover in class, unlike regular tutoring. The SI Leader serves as a facilitator; they do not re-teach course material. No new material is taught in SI sessions; SI encourages critical thinking, collaborative learning, and study skills.
What do the SI Leaders do?
The SI Leaders attend all class meetings, take notes, and read all assignments.
In addition to attending all class meetings, the SI Leaders facilitate three or more group study sessions per week outside of class. These study sessions are available to all students enrolled in the SI designated course. The study sessions are voluntary; however, attendance is strongly encouraged.
What are the SI Leader qualifications?
All SI Leaders are paid student workers who have taken the historically difficult course and succeeded with a 3.0 average or above in the course. All SI Leaders are recommended and approved by faculty members and trained in the SI process.
What is the overall purpose/goal of SI?
Research has proven that students who attend SI sessions on a consistent basis improve their final grades by 1/2 to 1 full letter grade. The purpose of SI is to equip students with the necessary knowledge to become academically independent. SI groups focus on critical thinking skills, study skills, and communication skills. The ultimate goal of SI is to get SI participants to become independent critical thinkers, which will help them succeed across the academic curriculum.
