Developing
Non-cognitive Skills is Key to Success
Why are some students able to succeed in college and others are not?
To answer this question, leaders at WGU began looking at data sets comparing college graduates to non-grads.
Accounting for life events, both groups appeared to be similarly impacted by death, divorce, illness and other life changing events. We went on to analyze the cognitive abilities of the group members, but again didn’t find a significant correlation between cognitive abilities and graduation rates.
There was clearly something that allowed some students to persist despite challenges and setbacks, but what is it and can it be taught to be a benefit to all students?
Research would soon show the key factor for success on the college level was the development of non-cognitive skills.
Chelsea Barnett, current Director of Learning Experience for WGU Academy, was invited to help design a first-of-its-kind course in social-emotional learning for WGU in social-emotional learning for WGU. As research and student outcomes started to show the positive impact the course was having on student success at WGU, Chelsea wondered if a similar course in social-emotional and non-cognitive learning could make a difference in college readiness for students who had not been accepted into WGU.
Based on the success of the WGU course, and the success of similar programs, in 2018 WGU Academy and PACA were created with the mission to create significant academic and career improvements by developing non-cognitive skills.
Interested in partnering with Academy?
WGU Academy graduates have been shown to not only be prepared for college curriculum, but to
thrive in their continued studies. Research has shown WGU Academy graduates are achieving “On Time Progress*” at a higher rate than non-Academy graduates. (*WGU’s indicator of a student’s progress towards graduating on time)
Comparison of Academy grads vs. non-Academy students
+15.5%
Academy graduates achieving second term FTAA2,3 was 15.5 percentage points higher relative to non-Academy students.
+19.7%
First generation Academy graduates achieving second term FTAA was 19.7 percentage points higher relative to first-generation non-Academy students.
+30.1%
Source of all data in info graphic: Reshma Gouravajhala, PhD.
Comparison of Academy Grads & Non-Academy Students at 4-Year Institutions. Salt Lake City, 2021.
2After accounting for demographic factors & transfer credits.
3Full-time Academic Attainment (FTAA) = students who successfully completed a
minimum of 12 credits in their first term at a 4-year on-line university
4First generation PACA Completers = Academy graduates + Academy withdrawn students
