Utah State University Earns Historic Accreditation for Its Supplemental Instruction Program

Utah State University recently became the first institution in Utah to receive accreditation for its Supplemental Instruction program through the Academic Belonging & Learning Excellence (ABLE) office.

The International Center for Supplemental Instruction at the University of Missouri-Kansas City granted this accreditation on Aug. 1. This recognition affirms the program’s quality and adherence to national SI standards, offering students enhanced peer academic support and enabling SI leaders to achieve the Certified SI Leader distinction.

The SI program provides peer academic support to students enrolled in breadth education courses. Each week, SI reviews include two 1-hour sessions with additional 2-hour super sessions to help in preparation for major exams and assignments. This program is fully funded through student tuition and fees, ensuring accessibility to all students in qualifying courses.

Accreditation was awarded following a thorough evaluation process, which included letters of support and a comprehensive review of USU’s training and operational practices. Key components of the accreditation process included:

• The program coordinator, Melanie Chambers, received training from a certified International Center for SI trainer. Meanwhile, SI leaders take part in ongoing training including bi-weekly team meetings, bi-weekly full team meetings, and observational assessments throughout the semester.
• Each SI leader completes detailed planning forms to organize session activities and collaborative learning techniques and is observed multiple times per semester with corresponding feedback provided through observation forms.

Data from the Fall 2022 to Fall 2023 academic year highlights the significant impact of SI on student outcomes. Students who attended SI sessions 10 or more times demonstrated significantly higher success rates, with 66% earning an A, 23% earning a B, and none receiving an F. In comparison, students who did not attend SI sessions had lower success rates, with only 34% earning an A, 25% earning a B, and 10% receiving an F.

“As the new program supervisor, I stepped into this role relying on the expertise of our SI Student Leaders,” Chambers said. “Reviewing the effectiveness data, we were struck by the program’s scope and impact. In the 2023-2024 academic year, the SI program supported 55 courses with over 790 sessions, reaching 5,727 students.”

Jennifer Burbank, senior lecturer in the biology department, highlights the valuable role of Supplemental Instruction leaders, noting that “SI leaders know the course content and offer that unique student perspective that is so helpful to other students just beginning their college careers." She adds: “The SI program at Utah State University has well-vetted SI student leaders and provides them with the necessary training to be an enormous asset to my course and students.”

Through this accreditation, Utah State University’s SI program will continue to promote student success through collaborative learning and peer support, underscoring its dedication to academic excellence.