USAFA Cadets making the grade

Colleges and Universities A-Z Air Force Academy - Colorado Springs
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<p>The numbers are in, and Academy cadets are making the grade and making it better.</p>

<p>For the fall 2007 semester, the percentage of cadets wing-wide with a 3.0 or higher grade point average out of a possible 4.0 rose from 41.9 percent to 43.1 percent from fall 2006.</p>

<p>Fall scores for freshmen showed the greatest improvements over the previous year. The number of fourth-degrees earning a 3.0 or higher rose from 29.4 percent to 37.5 percent, and their overall GPA rose from 2.61 to 2.75. </p>

<p>The number of freshmen with an average less than 2.0 decreased from 19.4 percent for fall 2006 to 11.2 percent in 2007.</p>

<p>“As educators, we are always thrilled when a performance measure indicates increased student learning,” said Dean of Faculty Brig. Gen. Dana Born.</p>

<p>The big question is: Why are grades up?</p>

<p>General Born said it is too early to attribute specific causes to the increase in freshman GPAs, but faculty is conducting a study into potential causes for changes in academic performance.</p>

<p>The fall data will serve as one more data point in that study.</p>

<p>Unlike their counterparts in civilian universities, Academy freshmen must learn to meet the military requirements as well as navigating a steady stream of challenging academics.</p>

<p>New in the curriculum this year for Academy fourth-degrees is a one credit-hour course called First Year Experience.</p>

<p>Freshmen receive guidance in developing and applying appropriate study and time management skills, plus transitioning from a high school/enlisted military environment to the Academy’s learning-focused university environment.</p>

<p>General Born said the faculty is “encouraged with the feedback we are getting from them concerning the new FYE course as the vast majority is finding it to be a positive experience.”</p>

<p>She also pointed out the cadet leaders are placing an increased emphasis on the sanctity of academic study time.</p>

<p>“Ultimately, credit goes to the cadets themselves who earned the better grades.”</p>

<p>Faculty and staff are naturally pleased with the fall semester, grade outcomes.</p>

<p>“The faculty is part of a much larger team on the Academy who are delighted with the Cadet Wing’s academic performance last semester,” General Born said.</p>

<p>“We truly believe that ‘their success is our success.’”</p>

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<p>probably because our class (2010!!!) had the lowest averages in 20-and-some-odd years, so beating us wasn't hard.</p>

<p>i also think the later start time implemented spring of last year has helped cadets receive more sleep, and studies show sleep correlates to attentiveness and leads to better grades.</p>

<p>could also be the classes, since chemistry was not taken by nearly all freshmen as in years past.</p>

<p>then my personal favorite is the fact that this year is just easier on the freshmen, so they have more time to study ;)</p>

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<p>Why are Grades up? </p>

<p>Answer: New Schedule of Calls, Shuffle of Freshman courseloads.</p>

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<p>PatriotCPM, what is the current schedule of calls, and what do you mean by shuffle of courseloads?</p>

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<p>shuffling, such as the fact that half of freshman didn't start chemistry till this semester. So the academic killing classes are just shifted to a different semester. Honestly, all my 4 digs say FYE is a joke and a waste of time too. I must say, my freshman have a lot less training that I had, so they definitely do have more time to study etc.</p>

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<p>That shuffle is something that concerned me. Potter got Physics, Chem, Calc II, Engineering all this semester. That load combined with Recognition made me wonder. She is doing fine so far, but only time will tell the whole story.</p>

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<p>very much ouch. That's death on a stick right there. She'll be fine, but talk about ripping off a band-aid!</p>

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<p>that ought to convince her she might lean more towards the humanities, huh ds? :)</p>

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<p>Right now, breakfast is at 0725. So reveille is at 0655. Last year in the fall, reveille was at 0600, and breakfast was at 0625. Combine that with details which I was forced to do in the morning (wheras my freshman do it at night before taps), I got up at 0515 on the average day. The freshman this year can get away with getting up at 6:45. That hour and a half makes a HUGE difference on the way your academics play out.</p>

<p>Add to that what hornet said about the Chemistry and what not, and those are the two (and pretty much only two) reasons for the increase in grades.</p>

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<p>I just think they're sacrificing a bit of what makes this place unique from ROTC in the name of showing better numbers.... Part of building character is dealing with failure, the admin is trying to make it so that people don't fail here.</p>

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<p>hey hornetguy, was that your squad that spirit missioned the chapel last year that you could see from really high?</p>

<p>if so... would you happen to have any old pictures? just curious</p>

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<p>I have one word for all the 3* on here: WHITLY (We Had It Tougher Last Year). Whether or not it's true, every class says it. 2011 will say the same about 2012 next year. 2012 will say it about 2013, and on and on. It's just part of life here. ;)</p>

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<p>Well, WHITLY or not, I literally had to get up at least 1.5 hours earlier than pretty much all of the freshman this year every day. And you do have the hard classes more spread out. That's not necessarily to say you guys have it easier, just to give two reasons why the grades are higher this year than last.</p>

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<p>Uh, I envy the treatment of 4 digs this year....</p>

<p>Tim, I actually sent those out to my own freshmen a couple days ago, I'll forward that to you (and the other CCers for kicks and giggles).</p>

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<p>An extra available hour of sleep is my bet. 2010's avg. GPA rose quite a bit after that change, as well.</p>

<p>Also, the style of teaching was changed for '09's four dig year. They experienced the lowest grades in 20 years. The system was further implimented last year, and 2010's grades were even worse.<br>
I think some of the math and science instructors realized that quizzing before covering material in class was a bad idea!</p>

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<p>It will be interesting to see at the end of the second semester were things stand. If the "cut" courses being spread around a little, and the extra half hour of sleep makes a difference that will be great. If the GPA balances out by summer, and Cadets who took harder classes in the second semester see their GPA go down it may all be smoke & mirrors. The "WHITLY" comment has some validity too. I can remember many times looking back when the snow was 3 feet, temp below zero, and school was 10 miles on foot....</p>

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<p>...and uphill both directions. ;)</p>

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<p>i'd say it's prob some of everything. the sleep thing would depend on the person too because i'd just go to bed early to get enough sleep, that's what i do now as long as i finished my homework. some people just never go to sleep though</p>

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<p>Chem 100 (The first of two semesters that most freshman take, you either get 100 or placed into 110 and then you only take 1 semester of chem) is easier than most regular high school chem classes. Chem definitely is not an "academic killing class." It's not too difficult to earn an 80% for an A- in that class.</p>

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<p>The grade curve for Chem helps out a lot too.</p>