Access to Academic Support Services and Academic Achievement of Science, Technology, Engineering and
Searched over 200M research papers
Research Analysis by Consensus
Consensus Meter
Access to Academic Support Services and Academic Achievement in STEM Education
Importance of Academic Support Services in STEM
Academic support services play a crucial role in the success of students in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields. These services include tutoring, mentoring, study groups, and access to resources that help students navigate the rigorous demands of STEM education. Research consistently shows that access to these services can significantly impact academic achievement and retention rates among STEM students .
Impact of Different Forms of Academic Support
Online vs. Face-to-Face Support
A study comparing the effectiveness of online academic support through videoconferencing with traditional face-to-face support found no significant difference in retention rates and final grades between the two modes. Both forms of support were equally effective in helping students achieve grades of "C" or above, indicating that online support can be a viable alternative to face-to-face interactions.
Comprehensive Support Programs
Programs that integrate multiple forms of support, such as financial aid, academic tutoring, and social and cultural capital, have shown to be particularly effective. For instance, a scholarship program at a Hispanic-serving community college provided financial support, intensive math review, tutoring, study groups, and research internships. This comprehensive approach significantly enhanced the success of minority STEM students, as evidenced by improved persistence, retention, transfer, and graduation rates.
Factors Influencing the Effectiveness of Support Services
Student Characteristics and Engagement
The effectiveness of academic support services can vary based on student characteristics such as age, ethnicity, and prior academic preparation. Younger students, those with transferable credits, and those who actively engage with support services are more likely to transfer to four-year institutions and succeed in their STEM studies. Additionally, individual effort and involvement, peer interaction, and faculty contact are critical factors that positively influence academic performance.
Accessibility and Utilization
Despite the availability of support services, many students do not utilize them. Factors such as lack of awareness, stigma associated with seeking help, and the perceived relevance of the services can influence student engagement. Improving the promotion of these services and normalizing their use can increase accessibility and participation, thereby enhancing their effectiveness .
Enhancing Support for Diverse Student Cohorts
As student cohorts become more diverse, universities must adapt their support services to meet varying needs. This includes offering support in multiple modes (e.g., online, face-to-face, peer learning) and ensuring that services are easy to access and use. Addressing public stigma and improving the promotion of support services can also help in making these services more engaging and beneficial for all students.
Conclusion
Access to academic support services is vital for the academic achievement and retention of STEM students. Both online and face-to-face support are effective, and comprehensive programs that integrate various forms of support can significantly enhance student success. Universities must focus on improving the accessibility and utilization of these services, particularly for diverse student cohorts, to ensure that all students have the opportunity to succeed in their STEM education.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic