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Influence of a High-Impact Practice Government Course on Retention, Graduation, GPA, and Student Integration among First-Time-in-College (FTIC) Students

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Title: Influence of a High-Impact Practice Government Course on Retention, Graduation, GPA, and Student Integration among First-Time-in-College (FTIC) Students
Language: English
Authors: Amy L. O'Dell
Source: International Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning. 2025 19(2).
Availability: Centers for Teaching & Technology at Georgia Southern University. IJ-SoTL, Georgia Southern University, Henderson Library 1301, Statesboro, GA 30460. e-mail: sotlij@georgiasouthern.edu; Web site: https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/ij-sotl/
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 11
Publication Date: 2025
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Undergraduate Students, United States Government (Course), Graduation Rate, Grade Point Average, Student Adjustment, School Holding Power, Academic Persistence, Universities, Performance Factors
ISSN: 1931-4744
Abstract: Just over half of the students who start a bachelor's degree in the United States, fail to complete it within four years (National Center for Education Statistics, 2024). As a result, millions of people with some college no credential (SCNC) struggle with student loan debt, lower income, and the threat of default. In response, many colleges and universities are using high-impact practice (HIP) classroom pedagogy to help more students persist and graduate. This study investigated the effect of a HIP government course, known as Town Hall, on first-time-in-college (FTIC) students at a mid-sized, rural, R2 university in the southern United States. Entering FTIC cohorts from fall 2016 through fall 2022 were analyzed based on group differences (Town Hall participants v. non-participants). Additional analyses were conducted on a sub-set of FTIC students, who completed the Institutional Integration Survey. Results based on chi-square test of homogeneity, the Welsh-t test, and an ANCOVA showed that Town Hall participants had statistically significantly higher retention rates, graduation rates, and grade point averages than non-participants, particularly among academically underprepared students. Survey scores indicated that Town Hall participants were slightly more integrated than non-participants; however, the difference was not statistically significant. These results provide further support for the benefits of HIP course design to increase student retention and graduation, especially among those least prepared for the rigors of post-secondary education.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1491401
Database: ERIC
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  Data: Influence of a High-Impact Practice Government Course on Retention, Graduation, GPA, and Student Integration among First-Time-in-College (FTIC) Students
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  Data: Centers for Teaching & Technology at Georgia Southern University. IJ-SoTL, Georgia Southern University, Henderson Library 1301, Statesboro, GA 30460. e-mail: sotlij@georgiasouthern.edu; Web site: https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/ij-sotl/
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  Data: Just over half of the students who start a bachelor's degree in the United States, fail to complete it within four years (National Center for Education Statistics, 2024). As a result, millions of people with some college no credential (SCNC) struggle with student loan debt, lower income, and the threat of default. In response, many colleges and universities are using high-impact practice (HIP) classroom pedagogy to help more students persist and graduate. This study investigated the effect of a HIP government course, known as Town Hall, on first-time-in-college (FTIC) students at a mid-sized, rural, R2 university in the southern United States. Entering FTIC cohorts from fall 2016 through fall 2022 were analyzed based on group differences (Town Hall participants v. non-participants). Additional analyses were conducted on a sub-set of FTIC students, who completed the Institutional Integration Survey. Results based on chi-square test of homogeneity, the Welsh-t test, and an ANCOVA showed that Town Hall participants had statistically significantly higher retention rates, graduation rates, and grade point averages than non-participants, particularly among academically underprepared students. Survey scores indicated that Town Hall participants were slightly more integrated than non-participants; however, the difference was not statistically significant. These results provide further support for the benefits of HIP course design to increase student retention and graduation, especially among those least prepared for the rigors of post-secondary education.
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      – SubjectFull: Undergraduate Students
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      – SubjectFull: United States Government (Course)
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      – SubjectFull: Graduation Rate
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      – SubjectFull: School Holding Power
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      – TitleFull: Influence of a High-Impact Practice Government Course on Retention, Graduation, GPA, and Student Integration among First-Time-in-College (FTIC) Students
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