The Learning Resource Center

Supplemental Instruction

What is SI?

Supplemental Instruction was created in 1973 at the University of Missouri, Kansas City by Dr. Deanna Martin. It is a non-remedial approach to learning that supports students toward academic success by integrating “what to learn” with “how to learn.” SI consists of regularly scheduled, out-of-class group study sessions driven by students’ needs. Sessions are facilitated by trained peer leaders (SI Leaders) who utilize collaborative activities to ensure peer-to-peer interaction in small groups. SI is implemented in high-risk courses in consultation with academic departments and is supported and evaluated by trained LRC supervisors. SI is voluntary and is offered to all enrolled students in the targeted course.

What is SI video

Goals of SI:

  • Improve learning, while increasing retention within targeted historically difficult courses
  • Improve student performance in targeted historically difficult courses
  • Increase retention and graduation rates of students

SI Works!

Validated by the U.S. Department of Education in 1992; reaffirmed in Dawson, et al. in 2014:

  • SI participants receive a lower rate of D, F, and Withdrawals.
  • SI participants earn higher mean final course grades.
  • SI participants persist (reenroll and graduate) at higher rates.

Percentage of DFW Final Course Grades for SI and Non-SI Participants (separated by institution type)

Mean Final Grades of SI and Non-SI Participants (separated by institution type)

Percentage of DFW Final Course Grades for SI and Non-SI Participants (separated by discipline)

Mean Final Grades of SI and Non-SI Participants (separated by discipline)

Faculty Requests

The LRC can provide content and exam review workshops, as well as Supplemental Instruction, to provide further support to your students. Please click on the Faculty Request link to request the LRC's services.

UMKC has provided the LRC, and its UMKC-certified trainers, data and information with permission granted to post.