2023 Course-Based Learning Assistance: Best Practice Guide for Academic Support Program Design and Improvement

Abstract

The Course-based Learning Assistance (CLA) Best Practice Guide is a generic resource for various peer cooperative learning assistance approaches. It is most applicable to programs that specifically target a course to supplement it and help students to earn higher grades and persist toward graduation. This Guide has a variety of purposes: (a) provide guidance for creating a new program; (b) revise an existing peer study group program; (c) conduct a self-evaluation of an existing program; and (d) serve as a blueprint for short and long-term strategic planning and action plans. It is not expected nor reasonable to expect any peer learning program could implement all the items within this guide. The Guide writing team realizes that programs have limitations of budget, personnel, time, and professional judgment regarding the implementation of this guide. Some readers of this Guide may see the contained policies and practices as “good ideas” to consider for improving their program. In addition to their use for academic study groups, this Guide may be useful for faculty members to incorporate learning activities and pedagogies into their courses. This Guide is published by the Alliance for Postsecondary Academic Support Programs and the National College Learning Centers Association. The Alliance is a writing group of experts in the field of student success that have been producing guides to practice, making conference presentations, facilitating webinars, conducting certification programs, and consulting with institutions since the 1980s. The National College Learning Center Association (NCLCA) represents a diverse body of educators who are dedicated to promoting excellence among learning center personnel. To that end, it is imperative to recognize and celebrate that our members are as diverse as the students we are called to serve