Frequently Asked Questions for Supplemental Instruction

What is Supplemental Instruction?

The Supplemental Instruction (SI) program provides academic support to traditionally difficult courses through peer-led study groups. These study groups are led by an SI Leader, a student who previously performed well in a course and was nominated by a faculty member to support the class for future semesters. The SI Leader gets paid to attend class, take notes, and assist students with regular collaborative study group sessions, usually before or after class.  This service is provided at no cost to students and faculty, and studies have shown that students who regularly participate in SI sessions perform on average a full letter grade better than students who don’t take advantage of the service.

How do SI sessions help me as a student?

Research shows that students who regularly attend SI sessions average a full letter grade higher than their classmates who choose not to attend. Attending SI means you’ll develop a better understanding of course content as well as more effective ways of studying. Also, the more you attend, the better your grade will be.

How do SI sessions work?

At each study session, the SI Leader will guide you through course concepts in a fun and engaging way. The goal of these sessions is to help you process the information from class, answer questions, and overall improve your understanding of the class materials. 

The SI Leader will not re-lecture, give out their class notes, or go over homework.

How do I know if SI is offered in my class?

Before registering for classes, be sure to view the updated list of courses supported by SI on the SI website.  You can also search “Supplemental Instruction” in Self-Service under Academics->Course Catalog->Course Type.  If you are in a class supported by SI, during the first week of class the SI Leader will make an announcement about SI.  SI supports classes at every campus, as well as courses that are in-person, hybrid, and online.

When are SI sessions held?

SI sessions are typically held before or after your class. They are held 2-3 times a week and are scheduled based on the availability of the students in the class, and the availability of the SI leader.

What's an SI leader?

SI Leaders are students themselves who successfully completed the course and are model students. They’ll be in class with you every day, hearing what you hear and reading what you read. They take notes and participate in the class, just like you. Their job is to help you think about the lectures you hear and the information you read. Then they craft unique activities or problem sets to recap the course material in SI study sessions to help you learn the material more efficiently.

When do SI review sessions start?

The SI Leader attends class from the very beginning, but the SI study sessions begin during the second week of the semester.  The SI Leader will set up two or three study sessions a week at times that are best for the majority of students in the class.  Students can attend as many sessions as they would like, but attending these sessions early in the semester and often is key to success! 

What does it cost?

SI support is provided to faculty and students at no cost. You can attend as many SI sessions as you’d like 100% free of charge.

How can I become an SI leader?

If you are interested in becoming an SI Leader, we encourage you to talk to a faculty member for a course you performed well in. Students must earn an A or a high B in the course, have a GPA of 3.0 or higher, and be nominated by an ACC faculty member. If your faculty member is unfamiliar with SI, you can provide them with information from our website.

Any other questions? Contact us!

Paul Price, Manager, Supplemental Instruction
Office: East View Campus P-108
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 512-223-5303

Travis Moore, Specialist, Supplemental Instruction Recruiter/Advisor
Office: Round Rock Campus 2232.11
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 512-223-0174

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