Learning Framework – The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Institution:

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

State:

Texas

Academic Level:

Baccalaureate

Issue Area:

Academic Program

Program Focus:

First Year Support, Mentoring

Website:

https://www.utrgv.edu/universitycollege/learning-framework/index.htm

Key Personnel:

Sandra Morrow-Atkins

Contact Info:

sandra.atkins01@utrgv.edu

Overview

In 2004, the Learning Framework course began at The University of Texas-Pan American to address first-year retention rates. In 2015, the institution merged and became known as The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV). The Learning Framework course assists first-year students early on in their college experience to make conscious choices and appropriate decisions about their chosen career to improve semester-to-semester retention rates.

Program Learning Outcomes: 1. Identify and analyze factors that impact learning based on current cognitive and educational psychology research. 2. Demonstrate the knowledge and skills a strategic learner needs to monitor and regulates oneself. 3. Learners will apply the skills necessary to navigate UTRGV systems through their first year.

Learning Framework – The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Program Description

Since Fall 2008, UTRGV requires first-year students with an ACT/SAT score below 19 or a high school class rank below the top 25% to enroll in the Learning Framework course in their first semester. The course helps students understand the principles of learning and motivation, which are then applied to their own university experience, helping students navigate UTRGV systems. Additional instruction, mentoring, academic advising, social, emotional, and academic support is also provided to students as instructors recognize and respect their students' lived realities. Additionally, first-year students who are not initially in the Learning Framework course are monitored after their first semester to ensure they earn at least 12 semester credit hours and have a 2.5 GPA. If students fall below 12 credits or a 2.5 GPA, they must take the Learning Framework course the following semester.

Outcome

Increased retention rates and GPA: In 2017-2018, students required to take the Learning Framework course had a 30% higher retention rate than students who should have taken the course but did not. Students who took the Learning Framework course averaged a 2.5 GPA compared to the average 1.9 GPA of those students who did not take the course.
Continued increase in retention rates and GPA: In 2018-2019, students required to take the Learning Framework course had a 23% higher retention rate than students who should have taken the course but did not. Students who took the Learning Framework course averaged a 2.55 GPA compared to the average 2.19 GPA of those students who did not take the course.