Student Success Coaching Is Best Delivered Early and Often

Abstract

This research investigates the effects of a success coaching program by examining the timing of the first appointment and the frequency of additional coaching. Using a fuzzy regression discontinuity approach, we provide Local Average Treatment Effects of the program when students make appointments early in the semester. Students with appointments scheduled before discontinuity had an average of two additional meetings compared to students who waited to make their first appointment. We find each coaching session yields an effect of about 0.2–0.3 grade points and approximately 0.8 additional credits earned. This article contributes to understanding of the timing and frequency effects for success coaching and recommends programs aim to have first interactions with students happen before the sixth week of classes and offer four to six appointments per semester for maximum impact.