LSU CAS Supplemental Instruction Earns International Certification
Baton Rouge, La. October 16, 2017 - LSU Center for Academic Success’ (CAS) Supplemental Instruction (SI) program has
received International Center for Supplemental Instruction accreditation. LSU’s CAS
SI program is one of five state university programs in the country with the three-year
certification.
The International Center for Supplemental Instruction awards certification to SI programs
that meet their core-four criteria, which includes International Center training of
the SI program coordinator and training of SI leaders before and during each semester.
The program must demonstrate a strong focus on SI session planning, SI leader/faculty
collaboration, and anticipation of student needs. Program administrators must also
monitor the effect of SI program attendance on grades.
“CAS SI is making a broad impact at LSU,” said Susan Saale, CAS Associate Director.
“Our most recent attendance data showed 59,236 SI session visits per academic year.
This program keeps students engaged and improves persistence. CAS SI attendees have
an 86 percent graduation rate compared to the 57 percent rate of those who don’t attend.”
CAS SI is a peer-led study session offered to students in historically difficult courses.
SI leaders are students who have successfully completed their assigned course and
work with faculty to reinforce current course material and information.
“The SI program would not be possible without support from our academic college partners:
College of Science, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, E.J. Ourso College
of Business, College of Agriculture and University College,” explained Melissa Brocato,
Assistant Vice President of LSU Student Success. “These partnerships with the colleges
and faculty make the program such a huge success.”
On average, students who regularly attend CAS SI sessions earn a half to a full letter
grade higher than students who do not attend the sessions.
"Faculty collaboration is key to effective Supplemental Instruction. SI Leaders work
closely with the corresponding course instructors to ensure the facilitated study
sessions are relevant to course content,” said Gloria Thomas, Director of the LSU
CAS.
For more information on the LSU CAS SI program, including courses and times, visit lsu.edu/cas.
###
About LSU Center for Academic Success
The LSU Center for Academic Success (CAS) helps students achieve the higher levels
of learning necessary for academic success in college and beyond. CAS offers services
such as free tutoring, Supplemental Instruction (SI), Academic Coaching and other
online resources. The LSU CAS is internationally recognized for more than 25 years
of work in student learning and metacognition, and is one of three university learning
centers accredited by the National College Learning Center Association.
Media Contacts:
Amanda Rabalais and Sarah Stafford, LSU Student Success
araba17@lsu.edu, sstaf14@lsu.edu
(225) 578-1968