Project Lead: Nicholas Bowman
Funding Approved: Fiscal Year 22
Project Status: Completed
Funded amount: $114,000 over two years
The "Examining and Tailoring Academic Policies to Enhance Undergraduate Student Success and Equity" project focused on improving undergraduate student retention and graduation rates at the University of Iowa by examining the impact of academic probation and course placement on student outcomes.
Activities included:
- Compiled and reviewed data related to course placement and academic probation
- Conducted data analysis and held meetings with various UI stakeholders to discuss findings
- Published study of effects of academic probation on four-year graduation
- Published “The Problems with Academic Probation” op-ed in Inside Higher Ed
- Developed a final report summarizing project findings and recommendations
- Provided policy recommendations to UI administrators and collegiate leaders based on findings
- Submitted multiple research papers and presentations based on analysis from the project
Next steps:
Findings from the project will be integrated into the work of the Excellence in Teaching and Learning priority of the strategic plan, allowing the university to enact policy and practice changes and conduct additional analyses as needed.
In the News
The Problems With Academic Probation
Research shows students placed on probation are less likely to be retained. Colleges should consider strategies for mitigating or avoiding the negative effects.
P3 supported research published in The Review of Higher Education
Nicholas A. Bowman, Mary Louise Petersen Chair in Higher Education and professor of educational policy and leadership studies, published a paper in The Review of Higher Education on the impact of STEM course placement on the short- and long-term academic success of undergraduate students.