About SI
Dr. Deanna C. Martin formulated the Supplemental Instruction program at the University of Missouri-Kansas City in 1973. After being given a $7,000.00 grant, Martin was appointed to reverse the declining percentage of minorities in UMKC’s medical, dental, and pharmacology schools.
Students who attempted to qualify for acceptance into one of the specialized health schools had to prepare to take exams with a high degree of difficulty. With SI in action, UMKC gained stronger retention of minority students, as well as a significantly higher success rate overall among its students preparing for entry exams.
The SI program was later extended to assist the entire UMKC student population.
In 1981, following exhaustive examination, the U.S. Department of Education recognized the SI program as an Exemplary Educational Program and awarded a dissemination grant. By December of 1997, faculty and staff from 719 institutions nationwide were trained to implement SI programs. The SI program was first introduced to SIUC students in the fall semester of 2001.
SI stands on thirty years of worldwide research. As a result, Supplemental Instruction, an internationally recognized program, has been implemented by institutions in Australia, Canada, Denmark, Egypt, Malaysia, Marshall Islands, Mexico, New Zealand, Puerto Rico, South Africa, Sweden, United Kingdom, and the West Indies.