Promoting Student Success through Standardized College ‐ Level Math Courses Presented by Texas A&M University ‐ Commerce WENDY GRUVER, DARLA HEATH, JODI OELRICH, JOSHUA PATTERSON, AND PAMELA WEBSTER
Reasons for Standardization (Fall 2013 – Spring 2014) CCSP Grant Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB), to provide… Students taking same course with similar experience Support services to students to help them to be successful Training to faculty to help increase the quality of courses
Overview of the Program Duration: Two academic year (Since Fall 2012) Classes: 1 st Year Math Courses including College Algebra, Business Math, & Liberate Arts Math; 1 st year English Courses the 2 nd year Student Supports: Testing Center, Tutoring & Advising Faculty Supports: Training on and off campus
Challenges Faced for Standardization Changed placement scores (THEA placement scores for College Algebra were reduced from 270 to 240 starting Fall 2012) Resistance to changes from students and faculty Promotion for faculty and student buy in Faculty need assistance to follow guidelines of standardization The need to monitor progress of individual classes
Standardizing – College Algebra Course coordinator, Shell syllabus Use same textbook, Cover same sections Have same agenda, Do some same class activities Set up sample homework sets on MyMathLab Meet and provide training before semester Send out weekly email to instructors Provide teachers with sample exam reviews and exams Mandatory tutoring hours for students Departmental Competency Exam, Departmental Final Exam
Standardizing – Business Math Course coordinator Shell syllabus Use same textbook Cover same sections Have same agenda Departmental Competency Exam Do same class projects Provide sample homework list Mandatory tutoring for students
Standardizing – Liberal Arts Math Program coordinator as coordinator Shell syllabus Use same textbook Developed course agenda Cover some required topics With some optional topics to choose from Developed a set of class projects to choose from
Support for Standardization Course Coordinators for college algebra and business math courses Program director help standardize liberal arts math courses Academic Testing Center for Competency Exam Retake or Make up Exams Extra Student Advising and Intervention Extra Tutors and Supplemental Instructors hired Observation for instructors Faculty training, particularly technology
Students’ Pass Rate After Standardization Calculated Pass Rates (Grades of ABC Only) Spring 2012 (old cut score) Spring 2013 College Algebra 55.4% 47.4% Business Math 58.3% 58.6% Liberal Arts Math 57.5% 64.4% Fall 2012 Fall 2013 College Algebra 49.0% 57.0% Business Math 53.0% 67.5% Liberal Arts Math 66.4% 75.8%
Lessons Learned from Standardization Provide training and support for faculty to implement changes Be assertive when implement changes Mandatory is ok Be flexible when working with students and faculty Build community through project time and tutoring
Lessons Learned, Cont’d Competency exam promotes students getting help early in semester & form study group In class group work promotes group learning outside class also Faculty willing to share and work together Encourage peer mentoring among faculty
THANK YOU! For questions or comments: Wendy.Gruver@tamuc.edu Darla.Heath@tamuc.edu Jodi.Oelrich@tamuc.edu Joshua.Patterson@tamuc.edu Pamela.Webster@tamuc.edu
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