A 24-year longitudinal study on a STEM gateway general chemistry course and the reduction of achievement disparities.

ABSTRACT: The "First Year Experience" is a critical component of retention of STEM majors. Often, general chemistry has been labeled as a "gatekeeper" course for STEM careers due to a high attrition rate and a course that leads to increased time for graduation when students are inadequately prepared. We demonstrate that the active learning strategy Peer-Led Team Learning (PLTL) model increases student retention (%DFW calculated from earned grades A through F plus withdrawals, W) and success (%ABC calculated from earned grades A through F). We have analyzed approximately 24 years of data in general chemistry I (~20,000 students), using Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA), which showed progressive, significant improvement in both student success and completion metrics. A Hierarchical Linear Modeling (HLM)

SUBMITTER: Basu P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11864549 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature