fast track – using intensive math review courses to improve placement coe
DESCRIPTION
Two fast paced intensive review coursesBasic Fast Track covers Prealgebra and Elementary AlgebraAdvanced Fast Track covers Elementary Algebra and Intermediate AlgebraTRANSCRIPT
Fast Track – Using Intensive Math Review Courses to Improve
Placement
Bill Coe, Montgomery College
Presentation Outline
What is Fast Track?About Montgomery CollegeHistory of Fast TrackObjectives of the CourseCourse StructureResults to DateAdvertisingReplication of Fast TrackHow to Start a Fast Track-Like ProgramConclusions
What is Fast Track?
Two fast paced intensive review courses Basic Fast Track covers Prealgebra and
Elementary Algebra Advanced Fast Track covers Elementary
Algebra and Intermediate Algebra
About Montgomery College
Largest Community College in Maryland (over 26,000 credit students on three campuses)
Diverse student population (33% international, 175 countries represented)
History of Fast Track at MC
Fast Track Course Objectives
Save time (one or two semesters)Save money Improve placement of studentsRetention
Our Target Population
Graduating high school seniorsAdults returning to school after long
absences
Fast Track Course Structure
Two weeks, twenty hours for each courseBasic Fast Track
7 hours Prealgebra 11 hours Elementary Algebra 2 hours testing and counseling
Advanced Fast Track 10 hours Elementary Algebra 8 hours Intermediate Algebra 2 hours testing and counseling
Fast Track Results to DateSummary by placement level
Out of 1541 students…. Down one level: 26 students (1.7 %) Same level: 376 students (24.4%) Up one level: 558 students (36.2%) Up two levels: 241 students (15. 6%) Undetermined: 340 students (22.1%)
More Fast Track Results
Of those students who were officially enrolled in the recommended course in the semester following enrollment in Fast Track, and passed with a C or better:
FT Students Non FT Students Prealgebra: 60% 48% Elem Alg: 55% 44% Interm Alg: 61% 54% CLM: 67% 67%
Still More ResultsComparison of Fast Track students to non
FT students by grade (A or B):
FT Students Non FT Students
Prealgebra 74% 69%
Elementary Algebra 62% 55%
Intermediate Algebra 69% 59%
College Level Math 73% 60%
…and Still More ResultsRetention Rates of Fast Track students to
non FT students:55% of FT students complete a CLM
class within 2 years of successfully completing the Elementary Algebra portion of Fast Track or Advanced Fast Track.
41% of non FT students complete a CLM class within 2 years of completing Elementary Algebra.
Advertising Fast Track
Counselors and faculty Prep Talk (newsletter to high school seniors) Continuing Education office Credit and non credit schedules of classes Direct Mail Flyers Brochures Web page
(montgomerycollege.edu/Departments/FastTrack.html)
Replication Locations of Fast Track(currently in use)
Central Piedmont CC, Charlotte, NCUniversity of Alaska FairbanksRiverside CC, Riverside, CaliforniaMadison Area Technical College, Madison,
WIMountain Empire CC, Big Stone Gap, VA
Results at CPCC (two years)
CPCC: Over 400 students have taken FT 71% passed next class versus 50% for non FT students Courses are 15 hrs each for Prealg, Elem Alg, and Int Alg. Required enrollment in following semester Courses offered in January, May, and August
Results at UAF (one year)
Only 41 students in first year (small school of 10,000 students at 6 campuses with FT offered at only the Tanana Valley and Fairbanks campuses so far)
86% passed next class versus 50% non FT students Courses offered in January, May, and August 24% advanced one level (vice MC experience of 67%) Now offered as a 1 credit course
Wildlife You May Encounter on the University of Alaska Fairbanks Campus
Photo by Todd Paris, UAF Marketing and Communications
A Normal Winter Day at the University of Alaska Fairbanks
Photo by Todd Paris, UAF Marketing and Communications
How to Start a FT-like Program Determine what courses it should cover Determine if a math class will be required in following semester Offer through Continuing Education? Talk to a number of schools about their start up experiences Determine the number of classroom hours Develop course materials Make a presentation to your counselors Advise all math faculty of the plan Develop a brochure for interested students Develop a flyer
Start Up Contacts
Mountain Empire CC: Sylvia Brown [email protected]
Suzanne Williams – [email protected] Valley College: Kathleen Almy
[email protected] Moses – [email protected] Area Technical College: Judy Jones
[email protected] CC: Nancy Joines [email protected]
Conclusions
Better PlacementBetter GradesImproved Retention