The Supplemental Instruction (SI) program is a non-remedial, institution-wide academic assistance program that increases student performance and retention. The SI program targets traditionally difficult academic courses — those that have an approximate 30% or higher rate of D or F grades and withdrawals — and provides weekly peer facilitated group study sessions. SI does not identify high-risk students, but rather identifies high-risk courses.

SI is an established program with specific guidelines developed by Deanna C. Martin, Ph.D., at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.  More than 3,500 institutions in the United States and 30 countries around the world offer academic assistance through the SI model.

Key Program Elements

• SI emphasizes what to learn with how to learn.
• SI provides opportunities for students to improve their grades and understanding of course materials.
• SI participation is voluntary and open to all students in the targeted course.
• SI Leaders attend all the lectures for the targeted course and hold 2-3 group study sessions outside of class.
• SI is supervised by a trained professional staff member.
• SI is offered only in classes where faculty members support SI.
• SI Leaders have usually taken the designated course with the faculty member who is currently teaching the course.
• SI Leaders work to facilitate group interaction and provide study strategies for success, rather than lecture.

SI Statistics at SIUE

In the Summer 2024-Spring 2025 school year, SI students had a DFW rate of 13.22% compared to Non-SI students with a DFW rate of 21.28%. SI Students also earned a grade point average of 2.91 compared to Non-SI students with a grade point average of 2.70. SI students who attended 10 or more SI sessions per semester earned a grade point average of 3.13.