Attendance boosts grades

Ongoing research by University faculty continues to demonstrate a direct correlation between class attendance and grades.

Peter Thrower, a professor of Material Science, recently reported statistics showing a relationship between attendance and students' final grades, concluding that students do benefit from going to class.

Now, a professor of geosciences, Terry Engelder, has compiled data to support Thrower's results.

Engelder said problems with attendance, especially in large classes, can be minimized if teachers maintain student interest and attention. This is a problem faculty has not yet solved, he added.

"A good teacher will provide material in class that can not be provided in the book outside of class," Engelder said.

As part of the research, several students were asked how they would alter classes to improve attendance.

Renee Hoover agreed with Engelder that the quality of the teacher affects the quality of the student.

- Terry Engelder, professor of geosciences

Other students suggested offering bonus points for attendance - particularly before holidays and administering tests that cover lecture-based material.

Engelder's research shows a regularly absent student drops down one letter grade. And about 20 percent of his class was willing to sacrifice one letter grade to not have to attend class.

Engelder pointed out several facts about the cost of attending the University. In-state tuition, books, and room and board cost about $5,500 a semester. Fees total $1,100 if a student enrolls in five courses. Engelder's course, GEOSC 20 - Physical Geology, consists of 30 lectures per semester. To attend each of his lectures, a registered student pays nearly $37 per class.

Engelder takes attendance using one-question quizzes to generate a record of who took the quiz and who did not. He gives full credit to any student present. This allows him to judge how students are doing without penalizing them for incorrect answers.

By attending classes, students are preparing themselves for the future, Engelder added.

"One thing disappoints me about Penn State students is that they don't realize grades impact the jobs they may get and the quality of their life in the future," Engelder said.