PowerStudy Program

 

The Power Study Program is based upon the Supplemental Instruction (SI) Program developed by Dr. Deanna Martin in 1973 at the University of Missouri at Kansas City and is an academic assistance program that increases student performance, success and retention.

SI targets traditionally difficult academic courses and provides regularly scheduled, out-of -class, peer facilitated sessions. SI does not identify high-risk students but rather high-risk courses. This is one model that is utilized in the Power Study Program. Two other forms of delivery were developed to address the needs of basic skills courses: in-class group facilitation by Power Study Leaders; in-class and out-of-class group facilitation by Power Study Leaders.

Power Study sessions are comprised of students of varying abilities, and no effort is made to segregate students based on academic ability. Introduced on the first day of classes, PSP is open to all students and is not viewed as remedial.

Highly trained PSP Leaders are the key to the success of the program. Through interactive sessions either in-class, out-of-class or combination of both, they model appropriate thinking, organizational skills, and learning strategies that lead to mastery of the discipline. By reviewing instructor-approved concepts and materials and integrating content they demonstrate how-to-learn with what-to-learn. PSP works best when the tutor and the instructor collaborate and work to create a seamless transition between the class and the sessions.

For more information about PSP, please contact our PSP Coordinator, Shawna Hutchins-Williams at shutchins@swccd.edu or at (619) 421-6700 (ext: 6662).