Research Note: Early Warning Signs: Research-Based Insights on First-Year Student Course Struggles

[andrewlundner]

Colleges and universities continue to focus considerable effort on supporting first-year students on their journey to academic success. Many campuses look to academic indicators like midterm deficiencies to flag students in need of support. But, changing the trajectory of a first year student’s academic performance in the second half of a term can be difficult. What insights are available on earlier indicators of academic issues?

This research note highlights insights on early course struggles using a national survey administered three to five weeks into the academic year. The findings are drawn from a national dataset of responses from nearly 11,000 new college students at eight U.S. colleges and universities to the Benchworks New Student Assessment during fall 2019.

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