Student Summer School Survey
Administered November 2001
Students
constitute an important group not included in the decision to change the format
of summer classes. In an attempt to remedy that problem, a student survey was
conducted the week preceding the November 29, 2001 Faculty Senate meeting in
which the discussion of the summer school format change occurred. In both LSP
and major courses, ten faculty across five academic, undergraduate divisions
administered a survey to students representing 21 majors. Faculty were told when
administering the survey to say nothing that would in any way bias students’
answers. Preliminary data on some of the issues assessed by the survey were
presented at the 11/29 Faculty Senate meeting. The numbers below represent the
full data set.
Instructors
received the following instructions to read to students completing the survey:
“For Summer 2001 through at least 2003 the
University administration proposes to replace the two 5-week sessions available
in the past with one 8-week session across all undergraduate courses. Students’
opinions about this change and about the possible reasons to make the
modifications are important, so a project is under way to determine students’
attitudes about these changes.
I’d like you to answer a few questions about the
issue if you would. It isn’t necessary to have taken summer school classes;
options appear for both takers and non-takers. Don’t put your name on the form;
it’s anonymous. For many of the items, you simply check the correct response.
Your participation is voluntary so you may choose not to complete the form.
If you have completed the survey already, please
don’t do it again.”
The
actual survey items and instructions to students appear below in their original
form. Results are
given in percentages following the items. Items 4 and 7 also provide the
categorized, open-ended responses required by those questions.
The
questions below assess students’ attitudes about and experiences with summer
school at Truman State University. To the best of your knowledge and ability,
please answer the following questions honestly.
1. Have
you taken summer classes at Truman in the past? (29.0%) Yes
(70.9) No
2. IF
YES, which summer school format do you prefer? (80.0%) two 5-week (20.0%) one 8-week
What
type of summer classes have you primarily taken? (59.6%) major/minor (38.41%)
LSP core /elective (1.98%)
graduate
2.
Do you intend to take summer classes at Truman in the future?
(45.3%) yes no
(54.7%)
Is this answer based on the availability of (31.5%)
two 5-week sessions; (7.0%) one 8-week session; (61.5%) neither?
3.
If you don’t now intend to take summer classes at Truman, under
which format would you most likely
reconsider taking summer classes here? (66.2%)
two 5-week (33.8%) one 8-week
4.
Have you taken summer classes at a college or university other
than Truman? (35.3%) Yes (64.7%) No
If
so, please give the two main reasons why (be honest):
Total in
survey= 411
Total
responses to question= 245 (59.6%)
These
are the main categories with subcategories listed below each:
1-Closer
to home
*1:wanted to go home 72
(29.4%)
*2:didn’t want to be in Kirksville
9 (3.6%)
2-Easier
classes elsewhere 40 (16.3%)
3-Money
issues
*1:cheaper 26 (10.6%)
*2:job related 16
(6.53%)
4-Truman
Credit and Course Issues
*1:to get ahead or catch up 19
(7.75%)
*2:needed class 8
(3.26%)
*3:get class out of way 15
(6.12%)
*4:problem with Truman summer school structure
21 (8.55%)
5-Misc.
*1:convienient 6
(2.45%)
*2:bored 4 (1.63%)
*3:other options 8
(3.26%)
*4:other 7 (2.85%)
5.
At Truman, have you ever been unable to take a summer class or not
considered taking one because:
a. some classes were on an 8-week schedule and
others were on a 5-week schedule? (17.1%)
yes (82.9%) no
b. some classes were on an 8-week schedule and
others were on a 10-week schedule? (6.2%)
yes (93.8%)no
c. some classes were on an 10-week schedule and
others were on a 5-week schedule? (14.2%)yes (85.8%) no
6.
Have the past schedules of summer classes caused uncertainty in course
planning that clearly impeded your
progress toward graduation? (14.4%)
yes (85.6%) no
If you answered yes to the last question, did the problem occur because of summer
scheduling across time formats, because of course unavailability during the
regular semester (___ it wasn’t offered; ___ you weren’t able to get in), or
through your action (e.g., you dropped/failed a class and needed to retake it in
summer, you didn’t plan ahead)? (18.2%) format problem; (80.0%) course
unavailability; (1.8%) my action
7.
If you considered taking summer classes at Truman, but eventually chose
not to, please give the two most important reasons you decided against it (in
order of their importance). Please be honest.
Total=411
Total
responses 239
1-Money
Issues
*1:job related (50 people) 20.9%
*2:too expensive (31) 12.9%
2-Kirksville/Home
Issues
*1:wanted to go home (21) 8.79%
*2:did not want to be in Kirksville
(34) 14.2%
3-Course
Issues
*1:didn’t offer classes needed
(38) 15.9%
*2:did not like 8-wk format (23)
9.62%
4-Needed a
break (16) 6.69%
*1:did not want to
*2:tired of school
5-Misc
*1:no place to live (4)
1.67%
*2:shedule or time conflicts (8)
3.34%
*3:easier classes elsewhere (8)
3.34%
*4:other (6) 2.51%
8.
If you HAVE taken summer courses at Truman, were they:
(31.6%) more 100 & 200 level classes; (36.8%)
more 300 & 400 level classes; (31.6%) about an equal mix?
9.
If you have NOT taken classes but might take them at Truman in the
future, will they more likely be :
(11.0%) 100 & 200 level classes;
(59.6%) 300 & 400 level classes;
(29.4%) about an equal mix?
10.
Do you believe an 8-week summer school schedule will better facilitate your
ability to work over the summer?
(34.1%)yes
(65.9%) no
11.
Do you believe an 8-week summer school schedule will better facilitate your
ability to do research over the
summer, should you so choose? (41.0%)
yes (59.0%)no
12.
Class standing (circle one): freshman
(10.7%) sophomore
(16.7%) junior
(27.2%) senior (44.9%)*
*
This sample contained considerably more juniors and seniors than freshmen and
sophomores. However, this may actually well-represent the students who take
summer classes. Unfortunately, the researchers don’t have those numbers. Perhaps
the VPAA’s office can supply them if you’re interested.