Time to Graduation ad hoc Committee University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire

1. Time to Graduation ad hoc Committee University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire Structural Equation Modeling one cohort (~2003-2009) 1180 non-transfer students 253 transfer students first degree-seekers only

5. Time to Graduation – part 1 8 semesters = 120 credits / 15 credits sem-1 9.1 semesters = 138 credits / (14.3 credits sem-1 + extra coursework) Students graduate with too many credits AND don’t register for enough credits per semester

6. structural meta-model time to graduation total credits Demographic Factors gender, from MN, first generation, low income, age, Requirements Credits in major Double major Academic Ability ACT, HS Rank, Incoming Credits Focus Indicators semesters undecided, changes in major, semesters to final major Progress Indicators credits attempted, withdrawals, repeats, probation, suspension, GPA High Impact Practices Study Abroad, Internship (for credit), Research

7. about structural modeling and path analysis causal factor A time to graduation causal factor C causal factor B

8. Causation & Ambiguity sem estimates relative importance but causation is inferred lab experiment clearly establishes causation but not relative importance http://www.ahwla.org.uk/site/tutorials/BVA/BVA05-Mouse/BVA05-Images/10.jpg http://www.biomedcentral.com/content/figures/1471-2172-8-27-3-l.jpg

10. model 4 - standardized regression coefficients note: academic performance, high-impact practices, and progress indicators are modeled as composite variables first generation time to graduation r2 = 0.31 -.07 .05 -.10 reciprocity -.48 -.06 returned -.05 -.09 Progress Indicators withdrawals female repeats .08 .35 attempted/s Academic Performance High-Impact Practices .06 ACT * HS Rank * Incoming credits * GPAgrad Internship Study Abroad Both

12. time to graduation r2 = 0.78 Total creditsearned r2 = 0.30 Req.creditsmajor 2 majors Female # Ds of major 1st Gen. sem.undeclared MN attemptedsemest repeats ACT Incoming credits withdrawals HS rank GPAUWEC Study Abroad Research Internship SA + Int c2 = 95.3, d.f.= 107, p=0.784 GFI = 0.992 RMSEA < .001, p > 0.999 Model 15 – standardized regression coefficients

13. Unstandardized Effects – model 15

14. Unstandardized and Standardized Total Effects – model 15

15. Total creditsearned r2 = 0.30 Increase understanding of Total Credits Earned Req.creditsmajor 2 majors Female # Ds of major 1st Gen. sem.undeclared MN attemptedsemst. repeats ACT Incoming credits withdrawals HS rank GPAUWEC Study Abroad Research Internship

16. “no job prospect? stay in college” http://www.nfib.com/business-resources/business-resources-item/cmsid/48790/

17. Increase total credits attempted per semester • an advising priority • increase “for credit” research and internships http://www.albion.edu/intledu/europe.asp

18. Increase winterim and summer offerings • increase faculty interest (? trade semester course for summer – winterim course) (? increase flexibility, e.g., allow intensive summer courses) (? increase flexibility, e.g., allow >3 credits during interim terms)

19. Withdrawals: subcommittee on retention id courses with low success rates discuss causes with department / faculty provide support to increase success

20. Close the Gender gap