PLTL Ambassador Program  Expanding Peer Leading to Early College Students See Below for Authors
Channel: PLTLIS
Date: 18/05/2021

Jonathan A. Tipo, Alissa G. Saenz, Geoffrey B. Saupe, and James E. Becvar


The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) has seen remarkable strides in the success rate of General Chemistry students through the implementation of Peer-Led Team Learning (PLTL) over the past twenty years. This was done not only by facilitating the learning of General Chemistry topics for students, but by introducing strategies of facilitated learning, studying, time management, and critical thinking. These influential techniques could be applied within rigorous Early College High School (ECHS) programs for those who are simultaneously part-time college students and full-time high school students. ECHS students need a better understanding of what to expect for university-level courses; the success rate in collegiate level STEM courses is low for these students, despite the rigorous nature of the ECHS program, likely due to a lack of adequate preparation. To assist with the preparation in local ECHS programs, we are implementing the PLTL Ambassador Program to initiate a pilot program from the Chemistry Peer Leading at UTEP to the Northwest Early College High School in El Paso, TX. In this program, we plan to aid students as they make the transition into a higher education environment by equipping them with the necessary tools and techniques to succeed. Our plan includes introducing new study habits, learning techniques, and ways to time manage in their high school level chemistry course. We plan to assess the effectiveness of this program by doing monthly evaluations as well as comparing their course scores after each testing period. Our hope is that participants will take these techniques and apply them holistically in other areas of their academics to become a more prepared and engaged student. PLTL has countless benefits for both the peer leader and the students, and we strive to diffuse these benefits to not only UTEP students, but those in the greater El Paso community.

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