Putting students first | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

Georgia State University has successfully increased its graduation rate from 30% to 53-54% within the last decade, with no achievement gaps among students from different backgrounds.

Key Insights

• 🏫 Despite initially having a low graduation rate, Georgia State University has made significant progress in improving it over the past decade, reaching a graduation rate of 53-54%, the highest increase in the country during that period.
• 🔝 Georgia State University has successfully closed the achievement gap among different racial and ethnic groups, with African-American, Latino, and white students all graduating at similar rates.
• 💰 Two-thirds of Georgia State University students come from low-income families, facing unique challenges related to admission, financial aid, and academics.
• 🌞 Georgia State University's summer program helps at-risk students by immersing them in a social group, providing credits, and offering positive reinforcement.
• 📚 Georgia State University emphasizes the importance of choosing a meta-major early on, ensuring that students' courses are aligned with their academic goals to avoid wasting credits.
• 🔍 The university uses predictive analytics to identify factors that may steer students off the academic path, allowing for timely interventions and support.
• 💼 More advisors were hired and trained to work with the predictive analytics system, leading to increased advising sessions and a proactive approach to solving academic challenges.
• 💪 Students at Georgia State University receive sufficient help and support to overcome obstacles and ultimately succeed, demonstrating the effectiveness of their programs and strategies.

Transcript

I’m here at Georgia State. It’s a university that’s really taken seriously the idea of finding out why some of the kids don’t complete college and really helping them along that progression and they’ve had some amazing results. Ten years ago, Georgia State had a graduation rate of about 30 percent. The U.S. has the highest college dropout rate. We’... Read More

Questions & Answers

Q: How has Georgia State University managed to increase its graduation rate and close achievement gaps?

Georgia State University has implemented various strategies, including summer programs, academic resources, and predictive analytics, to support at-risk students and ensure they stay on track towards graduation. These efforts have contributed to the university's improved graduation rates and achievement equality among students.

Q: What are some challenges faced by at-risk students in attaining higher education?

At-risk students, particularly those from low-income families, face challenges related to admission, financial aid, and academic success. These difficulties can hinder their ability to start, stay, and graduate from college. Georgia State University takes these challenges into consideration and provides targeted support to address them.

Q: How does Georgia State University help at-risk students succeed academically?

Georgia State University offers support to at-risk students by providing them with early immersion in a social group, ensuring they earn credits early on, and helping them choose a suitable academic track. By using predictive analytics, the university can identify when a student might be at risk and intervene promptly, offering assistance to keep them on the right path.

Q: Has Georgia State University's success in increasing graduation rates been solely due to the use of technology?

No, Georgia State's success cannot be attributed solely to technology. While the university utilizes predictive analytics and alert systems, it has also invested in additional advisors and training to work with students. The combination of technological tools and human support has been instrumental in improving graduation rates and supporting students.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Georgia State University has made significant progress in improving its graduation rates, going from 30% to 53-54% over the past decade, the highest increase of any institution in the country.

• Notably, Georgia State has successfully closed the achievement gap, with all students, regardless of their background, graduating at similar rates.

• The university prioritizes supporting at-risk students, particularly those from low-income families, by offering summer programs, providing academic resources, and using predictive analytics to intervene early when students show signs of falling off track.