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 Peer Assisted Study Sessions (PASS), also known as Supplemental Instruction (SI), was created at the University of Missouri-Kansas City and consists of regularly scheduled, voluntary, out-of-class group study sessions driven by students’ needs. PASS is implemented in historically challenging courses and is available to all students. Study sessions are informal in which students review notes, discuss readings, develop organizational tools, and prepare for examinations. PASS is led by PASS Leaders who engage students in collaborative group work helping to empower them to effectively study and maximize their academic potential.

PASS targets historically difficult courses and is designed to support faculty teaching. PASS is assigned to a course because of what is being taught, not because of the way it is being taught or by whom it is being taught.

What will I be required to do? 

PASS is not intended to create additional work for faculty. You can support PASS by granting time for occasional in-class announcements and encouraging students to take advantage of PASS. PASS is for ALL students—please avoid the notion that only those students who perform poorly will benefit. Additionally, we will be in contact with you about the following aspects of the program: 

• Assisting us in selecting and approving candidates for PASS Leaders for your course 
• Assisting us by providing information for PASS Program evaluation: a copy of the official class roster and a copy of grades after the first exam and/or major project and at the conclusion of the course
  • Please note that FERPA allows institutions to collect this data; students’ right to privacy regarding this information will be fully protected

The PASS Leader will: 

• Attend all class sessions
• Hold 2 collaborative study sessions a week targeting the most challenging material in the course
• Maintain a professional attitude about matters such as class standards, grades, and student concerns and complaints
• Discourage students from attending PASS as a substitute for class
• Share PASS materials with the faculty partner before use, if possible
• Provide feedback to the faculty partner if requested to do so
• Refer students to the faculty partner and/or campus resources as needed

The PASS Leader will NOT: 

• Teach or re-lecture course material 
• Answer faculty-addressed e-mails
• Grade assignments and exams
• Discourage students from attending class
• Teach the class in the instructor’s absence

PASS Leaders will be selected with the approval of the faculty partner. PASS supervisors will:

• Train all PASS Leaders according to established guidelines, standards, and best practices 
• Introduce new material
• Monitor the activities and presentations of PASS Leaders for as long as necessary by occasionally attending class with them, helping plan sessions, and supervising their performance
• Provide supplies, training, in-service experiences, and consultations when necessary for PASS Leaders
• Provide faculty with an end-of-term comparative analysis of student performance