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StudentEngagement: Key Findings and Action Items

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Copyright 2012 Wonderlic

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CONTENTS

STUDENT SATISFACTION AS IT RELATES TO OUTCOMES

STUDENT OUTCOMES: ACTION ITEMS

IMPROVING STUDENT ENGAGEMENT TIP #1: FRIENDS AND FAMILY MAKE A DIFFERENCE

IMPROVING STUDENT ENGAGEMENT TIP #2: ENGAGEMENT EQUALS EMPLOYMENT

IMPROVING STUDENT ENGAGEMENT TIP #3: KEEPING STUDENTS ON TRACK TO PAY BACK STUDENT LOANS

3 CHARACTERISTICS OF ENGAGED STUDENTS

BACK TO SCHOOL WEBINAR SERIES: TAKE CHARGE OF CHANGE

ABOUT WONDERLIC

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STUDENT SATISFACTION AS IT RELATES TO OUTCOMES

SuccessLoan repaymentHappiness

GraduationDiplomaCertificationSkills acquisition

AcademicsProgram satisfactionTeacher satisfactionAdvisor satisfaction

AdmissionsExpericnce with representativesEase of process

RecruitmentTruthfulness in promotion

StudentEngagementInspiredRespectedProud

EmploymentGainful employmentPay satisfactionJob satisfaction

Earlier this year, Wonderlic and the Imagine America Foundation (IAF) teamed up to jointly conduct a research project on factors that influence student engagement. Results from this study have been used to develop educational benchmarks of student attitudes, opinions, performance, and satisfaction. These benchmarks provide schools with ideas and markers to help their students have the best overall educational experience possible.

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Our analyses found that if schools support their students, educate them about loan repayment, and engage them in the classroom, then students are also more likely to have more positive educational outcomes. For example, such students are more likely to graduate, are more likely to be up to date with their loan payments, and are more likely to secure gainful employment within their field of study.

It is not surprising that engaged learners have more positive educational outcomes. Indeed, students who invest in their learning demonstrate great success inside the classroom. However, it may be surprising that schools can do a great deal to increase student engagement.

More than 4,000 students nationwide in four categories participated in the study which focused on the real impact of student and school characteristics on student success. Our analyses suggest that both school and student characteristics affect educational outcomes. To improve student outcomes, schools need the right resources and they need to select the right students.

Student Characteristics School Characteristics OutcomesPrior Academic Performance Enrollment Process GPAAttitude Towards Grades Admissions Rep AttendanceStudy Habits Advisors Dropped ClassLocus of Control Faculty Loan Repayment

Classes PerceptionsCampus Resources

SCHOOLRESOURCES

STUDENTENGAGEMENT

EDUCATIONALOUTCOMES

STUDENTCHARACTERISTICS

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STUDENT OUTCOMES: ACTION ITEMSWhile conducting the Educational Benchmark Study, we found that student perceptions about the enrollment process, admissions representatives, advisors, faculty, classes, and campus resources all play a vital role in affecting student engagement. We also found that there are a few simple things that all schools can do to drive engagement, and in turn, improve educational outcomes:

Ensure that teachers know their students’ names. This small gesture can positively affect student opinions about the school and their courses. Our study found that students are more engaged in their classes and find their classes to be more interesting if the teachers simply know their names.

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Strongly Disagree Strongly Agree

My teachers know my name

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While conducting the Educational Benchmark Study, we found that student perceptions about the enrollment process, admissions representatives, advisors, faculty, classes, and campus resources all play a vital role in affecting student engagement. We also found that there are a few simple things that all schools can do to drive engagement, and in turn, improve educational outcomes:

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If I have a complaint, someone at the school can help me

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Strongly Disagree Strongly Agree

Foster the support systems that students need to succeed. To succeed is no small task; nor is it an individual one. Our study found that establishing and fostering student support systems drive engagement and educational outcomes. For example, we found that if advisors are focused on students’ individual needs and interests, and use such information to match students to their career interests, then students are more likely to be proud of their school and recommend it to others. When students feel like they have someone they can go to with their struggles, they are happier and more engaged in their program.

2.

By improving certain school characteristics, your students will be happier, and you will likely see dramatic increases in engagement. Such improvements in engagement will, in turn, lead to better educational outcomes.

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IMPROVING STUDENT ENGAGEMENT TIP #1: FRIENDS AND FAMILY MAKE A DIFFERENCEWhen determining what factors influence student engagement, we discovered that student engagement occurs when students make a significant, psychological investment in their learning. Engaged students put a large amount of effort into learning, and they take pride in incorporating what they learn into their lives.

But what makes a student engaged vs. disengaged?

Our analyses found that one important factor in building student engagement is support from both family and friends.

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5

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Strongly Disagree Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly Agree

The important people in my life support my decision to go to school

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mThe graph below shows that students who more strongly agreed that the important people in their lives support their decision to go to school were also more satisfied with their progress towards completing their program. (1 = Strongly Disagree to 5 = Strongly Agree).

Our analyses indicate that establishing and fostering student support systems drive both student engagement and educational outcomes. As the graph above suggests, students are more likely to progress through their studies if they have a strong support system at home.

Unfortunately, students vary in the amount of emotional support and encouragement they receive. To this end, one best practice is for schools to engage the students’ support system. For example, schools could institute a family and friends appreciation night to build stronger support systems, and get them more heavily invested in their loved one’s educational goals. By engaging these student support systems, schools will be able to both maximize graduation rates and have students progress towards graduation in a timely fashion.

In addition, by using a student engagement survey across time, schools can determine the effectiveness of their initiatives and use the data to modify those initiatives accordingly.

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IMPROVING STUDENT ENGAGEMENT TIP #2: ENGAGEMENT EQUALS EMPLOYMENT

To a large extent, student engagement occurs when students make a significant, psychological investment in their learning. Student engagement is affected by school resources and student characteristics. Earlier, we discussed how important it is for students to have support outside of school. This greatly affects their level of engagement, which in turn affects their graduation rates.

In addition to collecting data on students who are currently enrolled at career colleges, we also sampled graduates, drop-outs, and those who decided not to enroll. This allows for fruit-ful comparisons between students who were more engaged students (graduates) and disen-gaged students (drop-outs). Indeed, our analyses demonstrated that graduates were substan-tially more engaged than drop-outs.

The graph below depicts the employment status (unemployed, part-time employed, full-time employed) for each enrollment status category (current students, graduates, drop-outs, never enrolled).

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When compared to current students, drop-outs, and those who never enrolled, individuals who graduated have the highest rate of full-time employment and the lowest rate of unemployment. Perhaps of main importance, our analyses also suggest that engaged students are more likely to be employed full-time when compared to disengaged students. That is, career college graduates are 1.5 times more likely to be employed full-time when compared to drop-outs (53% vs. 35%).

While career college graduates are more likely to be employed full-time, this is only part of the story. Another interesting finding from our analyses is that graduating conveys gainful employment. As the graph below depicts, of those who are employed at least part-time, graduates are 5 times more likely to be employed within their field of study when compared to drop-outs (56% vs. 11%).

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Given the recent amount of attention paid to career colleges’ need to better prepare students for gainful employment, our results are very promising. Overall, graduates are more likely to be employed full-time and within their field of study. Importantly, our model suggests that this is largely due to differences in student engagement. That is to say, engaged students are more likely to graduate and obtain gainful employment as compared to disengaged students.

To this end, ensure that your students are engaged learners by focusing on improving your school resources and student characteristics.

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IMPROVING STUDENT ENGAGEMENT TIP #3: KEEPING STUDENTS ON TRACK TO PAY BACK STUDENT LOANS

We define student engagement as being when students make a significant, psychological investment in their learning. Previously we demonstrated how important it is for students to have support outside of school, as well as the impact of engagement on post-graduation employment.

Another focus of our research revolves around student loan repayment. Indeed, as the costs associated with attaining higher education are rapidly increasing (e.g., tuition, books, living expenses), more students are relying on federal and private loans as a means to pay for their education. As the graph below depicts, the vast majority of students in our study (80%) are using loans to help pay for their education. Also noteworthy is that many of these students are paying for their education independently, as only 28% receive financial support from their families.

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LoanMyself Grant Scholarship Family GI Bill Employer

My education is being paid for by...(check all that apply)

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In addition, our research suggests that helping your students understand their loan commitments is perhaps the first step towards ensuring that your students successfully repay their loans. For example, the graph below depicts that students who agree that their educational costs were clearly explained are more likely to be up to date with their payments (81% vs. 66%).

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A school representative clearly explained how much my education would cost

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Indeed, our research suggests that, with the right techniques, schools can reduce student loan defaults. By clearly explaining the costs of education, tuition payments, and student loan commitments, and providing useful information about financial aid options, students will be more likely to follow through on their loan commitments.

However, despite providing this information, sometimes it can be difficult for students to understand it, and then recall repayment expectations when their loans come due. Hence, one recommendation is to create a FAQ document about student loans. This could be a powerful way to clear up any misconceptions that students have regarding their loan obligations. Along similar lines, another recommendation is to take advantage of every opportunity to communicate with your students. It is important not only to arm students with information about their loans at enrollment, but also at graduation.

Lastly, by using a student engagement survey across time, schools can determine the effectiveness of their communications and use the data to modify those communications accordingly.

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3 CHARACTERISTICS OFENGAGED STUDENTSDo you know what types of students you should be enrolling to ensure the best outcomes? Watch this short video to learn about three student characteristics that drive engagement.

Click above to play video.

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BACK TO SCHOOL WEBINAR SERIES: TAKE CHARGE OF CHANGE

“BACK TO SCHOOL” WEBINAR SERIES: TAKE CHARGE OF CHANGE

Student Characteristics: Who is Likely to be an Engaged Learner?

Brett M. Wells, Ph.D.

Lead Research Scientist, Wonderlic

Bob Martin

President and CEO, Imagine America Foundation

For Internal Use Only.

Wonderlic and the Imagine America Foundation have teamed up to identify the key influencing factors of student satisfaction, academic achievement, and gainful employment. These series of three, one-hour webinars discuss the most meaningful discoveries from our research project. It is our hope that by sharing our knowledge, you will be better equipped to make sustainable improvements in your programs.

Student Characteristics: Who is Likely To Be an Engaged Learner? (Part 1)School Characteristics: How Do Schools Drive Engagement? (Part 2)Tying it All Together: A Bright Outlook for Engaged Students (Part 3)

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