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Second Chance

Second Chance. Using ALEKS Between Semesters at Pikes Peak Community College Marilyn Frydrych PPCC Second Chance Coordinator. PPCC. PPCC has a 20,000 student body of which 3600 are college prep math students The pass rate for each of these courses is abou t 50%.

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Second Chance

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  1. Second Chance Using ALEKS Between Semesters at Pikes Peak Community College Marilyn Frydrych PPCC Second Chance Coordinator

  2. PPCC • PPCC has a 20,000 student body of which 3600 are college prep math students • The pass rate for each of these courses is about 50%. • Of those that pass, only 50% enroll in their next math course the following semester.

  3. Description • The PPCC’s Second Chance program • is two years old. • uses computers, ALEKS, and a tutor • is offered between semesters. • targets students who just received a D in a college prep math course. • provides opportunity for review for incoming students. • is open to anyone up to Calc II. • provides an alternative way to learn math.

  4. Testimonials • “I’m now addicted to this course, and I’ll sit at home for hours working on problems and going over and over, and for the first time I can honestly say I’m liking math.. J” • She passed her midterm. Her response to finding that out was, • “OMG Marilyn!!!!! THIS IS THE FIRST MATH MIDTERM I’VE EVER PASSED!!!!!!!!!  THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!! 

  5. Testimonials (Continued) • Dear Marilyn,I am requesting admittance into the second chance program that is being offered. I have taken an ALEKS course before and excelled. I have had to take all prerequisite math courses twice. Excepting 030. I barely passed 060 with a C. When I took 090 with ALEKS, I scored a high B. Math is difficult for me and trying to learn the way a professor instructs is why I have such trouble. Taking the ALEKS program, I was able to learn how I best understand and was able

  6. Testimonials (Continued) to acquire a true understanding of math, not just following rote. … I am eligible for graduation in Summer, however, I feel that without the unique help I received from ALEKS, I will not be able to do so. Please consider my request to enroll in a program that best enables me to grasp mathematical concepts with confidence and skill.Sincerely,

  7. Serves the Outliers of Our College Prep Math Population • Repeating students • Solid math students who placed beneath their abilities

  8. Faculty Approval • We follow all PPCC guidelines for placement

  9. Continuing Ed Course • Cheap admission costs • No grades • No paper tests • Covers PPCC’s five college prep math courses • Offers prep courses for college level math • Uses Accuplacer for placement into next course

  10. Costs $90 • Admission: $35 • ALEKS code from bookstore: $45 • Cost of Accuplacer Test: $10 • No financial aid

  11. First Session Two Years Ago • Two weeks starting the first week in January 2009 • Two-hour sessions five days a week • 8 – 10 am and 6 – 8 pm classes • Targeted D students only

  12. First Session (Continued) • Called and emailed 1500 students • Success rate of 38 students, 52% passed onto their next class. • Most others felt they were learning math for the first time.

  13. Original Set up • All students signed contract • Agreed to attend everyday • Agreed to master their multiplication and division tables • Agreed to take Accuplacer upon completion • Very little interaction. Classroom quiet.

  14. Original Set up (Continued) • Two hours each day doing ALEKS in classroom with a tutor • After break, a written, timed math facts quiz • Few questions asked of tutor. • Goal: reach 85% in ALEKS before taking Accuplacer

  15. Lessons Learned • Reasons students failed Accuplacer • Failed arithmetic portion of Accuplacer. (Couldn’t take algebra portion.) • Didn’t coordinate with instructor. • Didn’t practice taking Accuplacer tests. • Reaching 85% on ALEKS assessment not enough.

  16. Lessons Learned (Continued) • A more collaborative setting needed • Seat level math courses students together • Encourage students to write their problems on the board • Allowed others to watch the explanation • Got kinesthetic learners out of their seats • Used tutor’s time efficiently • Introduce mini-lectures on test anxiety and study skills • More time needed for the two more advanced Algebra courses • The students loved ALEKS

  17. Subsequent Programs • Aug 2009 • Added third week (last week of finals) • Recruitment • Allowed F students as well as D students • Relied on teacher recommendations • Still phoned about half of D students • Success rate of 50 students: 20%

  18. Subsequent Programs (Continued) • Winter Break, 2009 – 2010 • Added second session of 12 days starting during finals week in December • Recruitment • Relied solely on teacher recommendations, flyers, and bulletin boards • No phone calling or emailing • Added strong students who wanted to place out of courses

  19. Subsequent Programs (Continued) • Winter Break 2010 – 2011 • Continued two 2-week sessions • Called D students in only Mat 030 and 060 • No contracts • Response seemed lackluster • Of 78 students only 5 students passed to their next course • Only 8 took the Accuplacer

  20. Conclusion • The Second Chance program • contributes to retention. • saves students time and money. • is well liked by students. • provides opportunity for success. • exposes students to ALEKS. • Offers many intangibles

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