Early Intervention Strategy to ensure academic success for International Students

Purpose

To set out the procedure for identifying and assisting students at risk of not meeting course progress requirements

Relevant to

• Administrative Staff
• Academic staff
• International Students

Background

Under Standard 10.4 of the National Code, providers must have a documented Early Intervention Strategy, which must be made available to staff and students, that specifies the procedures for identifying and assisting students at risk of not meeting the course progress requirements.

Specifically

• Providers must assess course progress at the end point of every study period.
• All providers must have a documented intervention strategy. At a minimum, the intervention strategy must be activated where the student has failed 50 percent or more of the units attempted in any study period

In 2004 the position of Academic Progress Officer was created specifically to provide on-going support and advice to international students at risk of academic failure. This position is responsible for providing students with the best opportunity to successfully pass their program.

The programs run centrally from International Student Services complement many separate programs run by individual Colleges.

The Holistic approach

It should be noted that International Student Services and the Student Services Directorate offer many programs particularly for incoming students that are designed to help students succeed academically. Programs such as the Predeparture briefing, Meet & Greet service, Orientation Week and the SIGN mentor program all help to connect students to services, reduce isolation, reduce cultural barriers and promote the skills needed to survive at university.

A) Strategies to assist identified students to achieve satisfactory course progress

The Academic Progress Officer may recommend the following strategies for students to follow to improve their course progress:

• Referral to the Academic Skills and Learning Centre for an individual assessment of academic skills
• Attending academic skills workshops such as Time management, Essay writing or Exam preparation
• Referral to the Counselling Centre for assistance with personal issues which are influencing progress
• Referral to the University Health Service for assistance with medical issues which are influencing progress and or referral to the Disabilities Services Centre for assistance with chronic health and environmental issues which are influencing progress
• Receiving mentoring from a later year student
• Referral to College for academic and program advice
• Referral to Careers Centre for Program / Careers advice
• A reduction in course load with approval from faculty and International Office
• Attending the Academic Progress Focus
• Attending an English Conversation Group to assist with language skills and social networking
• Individual Case Management for students placed on Probation

B) The process by which the intervention strategy is activated.

At 5 weeks into the new Semester:

All new students are sent an email suggesting that now is the time to address any issues they may be facing. They are reminded of student support services, Academic Progress Rules and encouraged to seek help with the Academic Progress Officer if needed.

At 5 weeks prior to the examination period:

All students sent an email reminding them of services that they can access to help during exam time. The email is framed in terms of ‘its 5 weeks to go before exams and I am sure that you are all busy reading and revising. It is normal for students to feel anxious at this time and here are some services that may help you survive the exam period’. They are reminded of student support services, Academic Progress Rules and encouraged to seek help with the Academic Progress Officer if needed.

At the end of each Semester:

Undergraduate Students with 1 Fail or PX: Are sent an email reminding them of services that are available to them on campus.  This includes info about our Academic Skills and Learning Centre, Counselling Centre, specific courses such as Time Management and essay writing. They are reminded of the Academic Progress Rules and encouraged to seek help with the Academic Progress Officer if needed.

Undergraduate Students with 2 or more Fails: Contacted by post and email, provided with a copy of the University’s Progress Policy and are invited to attend the Academic Progress Focus Group. Students are then sent an email reminder to register for the Focus Group. Attendance to the Focus Group is recorded and noted on the student file.

Postgraduate Students with 1 or more Fails: Contacted by post and email, provided with a copy of the University’s Progress Policy and are invited to attend the Academic Progress Focus Group. Students are then sent an email reminder to register for the Focus Group. Attendance to the Focus Group is recorded and noted on the student file.

Academic Probation and individual case management:

According to the ANU Academic Progress Rules 2007, any Undergraduate who fails more than 50% of their course load in a Semester or any Postgraduate who fails 1 course in a Semester will be placed on Academic Probation.

At the end of each Semester, all students who are placed on Academic Probation will be required to make an appointment for an individual consultation with the Academic Progress Officer. Depending on individual circumstances, the Academic Progress Officer will seek to case manage each student, referring students to various service providers (ie. ASLC, Health, Counselling, Disabilities) where appropriate.

Individual Appointments:

The role of the Academic Progress Officer is to assist students to resolve problems which could impede successful completion of their studies. Students are encouraged to make individual appointments to discuss their progress with the Officer at anytime. All interventions are recorded and noted on the students’ file.

Academic Progress Focus Groups:

Held at the end of each Semester to provide at risk students with access to the tools and resources to achieve academic success, connect students at risk of academic failure to the university community, provide personal linkages to staff in a non-threatening environment; and ensure international students are compliant with their visa conditions. Our experience shows that students who attend the Focus Group are more likely to continue and graduate than those who do not attend.

Each focus group session comprises around 8 students and a representative from the Academic Skills and Learning Centre, the Counselling Centre and the Academic Progress Officer.

Relevant Legislation:

• ESOS Act 2001,
• National Code of Practice 2007
• Academic Progress Rules 2007