Surveys and Studies

The Beginning College Survey of Student Engagement (BCSSE) collects data about prior academic and co-curricular experiences, as well as expectations for participating in educationally purposeful activities during the coming college year. The BCSSE is administered to first-year, incoming transfer, and delayed-entry students. The first-year student response rate was 24% and the incoming transfer response rate was 11%. 

 

BCSSE 2019 Reports:

The Faculty Survey of Student Engagement (FSSE) was designed to complement the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE). The survey is administered at San Francisco State every three years in tandem with the NSSE. Results from the most recent 2020 administration are posted below. The faculty response rate was 26%. 

 

FSSE 2020 Reports:

The National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) measures student engagement through 10 Engagement Indicators and 6 High Impact Practices. The survey is administered at San Francisco State every three years. Results from the most recent spring 2020 administration are posted below.

 

NSSE Reports:

Local Work Products:

Graduating seniors are given the opportunity to participate in the Senior Exit Survey at the time they apply for graduation. The online survey consists of 40 items and is designed to capture student satisfaction with their San Francisco State experience. 

View the reports & presentation materials below:

The Fall 2019 Transfer Survey was a collaborative effort conducted by the Transfer Advisory Committee and Institutional Research. The survey covers specific aspects of the transfer student experience at San Francisco State University, including the initial transition from a previous institution, engagement & sense of belonging in the community, and perception of SF State's commitment to supporting transfer students. 

 

View the report & presentation materials below:

The original impetus for the research was to assess the remote learning needs for first year students during COVID and therefore, be better equipped to support our students transition into the second year.

Although COVID conditions are different today, asking first year students about their experiences at the end of the academic year continues. Students who feel seen, heard, and valued are more likely to experience a true sense of belonging and therefore have better educational outcomes. SF State’s longstanding ethic of care for our campus community was a value imbedded in this project and a central value held for all the researchers involved.

 

View the report & presentation materials below:

The purpose of the study was to examine first-year experiences and student needs of the fall 2020 first-time freshmen during remote learning . The survey instrument was 20 items in length as was intended to measure the following five areas:

  • First-year student experiences of the fall 2020 first-time freshman cohort during remote learning;
  • First-time freshman cohort who Intented to return in the fall 2021;
  • Why students are not planning to return (where applicable);
  • Student plans and concerns for the upcoming fall semester;
  • Identify and follow-up with students who would like academic advising and/or support.

 

View the report & presentation materials below:

The purpose of the Student Retention During COVID-19 Study was to examine fall 2019 first-year student retention during COVID-19. The survey instrument was 11 items in length as was intended to measure the following five areas:

  • Intent to return in fall 2020;
  • Identify why students are not planning to return in fall 2020 (where applicable);
  • Learn about first-year student experiences during the pandemic;
  • Identify areas of student worries about the upcoming fall 2020 semester;
  • Assess resources that students do and do not have access to for remote learning.

 

View the report & presentation materials below:

The Fall 2017 Students Who Left Study was a collaborative effort conducted by First-Year Experience, Institutional Research, and Developmental Studies. The goal of the study was to identify common factors associated with first-year students' non-retention.

 

View the report and presentation materials below:

    Attrition Studies

    IPEDS Feedback Reports:
    IPEDS is the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System. It is a system of interrelated surveys conducted annually by the U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). IPEDS gathers information from every college, university, and technical and vocational institution that participates in the federal student financial aid programs. 

    The feedback report provides comparison statistics for SF State and a group of similar institutions, referred to as a comparison group.

    Probation Study