Math Performance Success

Dr. Barbara Illowsky

De Anza College

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Developmental Math challenges

• Low Success

• Low Progression Rate

• Not Reaching Educational Goals

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De Anza’s Solution

Math Performance Success (MPS) Program:

• Intensive intrusive counseling

• Cohort Approach

• Common Curriculum

• Common Faculty3

Recognition and Support

• Cited as Exemplary Program by ASCCC

• Recipient of Hewlett Foundation Award

• Partially Supported by Title III Grant

• Financially Supported by De Anza Student Body

KEY FINDINGS: Hanover Research, Feb. 2016

MPS participants outperform similar non-MPS students by 28.8 percentage points in the combined “six-year graduation or transfer” rate.

Among MPS students, there are not large differences in graduation rate, time until graduation, or proportion of STEM courses across gender or ethnicity categories.

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KEY FINDINGS (cont.): MPS participation is correlated with an increased grade point average (GPA) of 0.2 points.

MPS participation is correlated with passing an additional 0.5 courses per term.

MPS participation is correlated with an increased proportion of STEM courses of 5.2 percentage points.

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Data for Single Instructor

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Program Structure

Double Instruction

Time

Counseling

Peer Tutors

Active Learning

Student Cohorts

Team Approach

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Program Structure

• Lack of Success in Math

• Low Math Self-confidence

• Many from Special Programs• Learning and Physical Disabilities• Under-represented Groups• Low SES

• Referrals from Instructors & Counselors9

High Risk Students

Program Structure

• Application Processing• Program Orientation• Student Contract

• Explicit Expectations• Noncompliance Termination

• Frequent In-Class Counseling Intervention• Academic & Personal• Student Success Focus Interventions• Identifying and addressing issues 10

Counseling

Program Structure

• Year-long sequences• Elem. Alg. Interm. Alg. Statistics• Pre-Alg. Elem. Alg. Interm. Alg.

• Sense of Community• Same Instructor• Lasting Relationships

• Student-Student• Instructor-Student

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Cohorts

Program Structure

• In-class: Daily, with Consistent Tutors• Drop-in Available: ≈ 50 hours/week• Individual Attention• Encourages Study Groups• Mandatory Tutoring when Grades < 70% at

Any Point in Term• Many Tutors are Former MPS Students

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Student Tutors

Program Structure

• In-class Practice

• Group Work

• Small Group Discussion

• Collaborative Learning

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Active Learning

Program Structure

• 10 Hours per Week (5 units)

• Double Load for Instructor

• Allows Flexibility to Meet Student Needs

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Double Time

Program Structure

• Instructors, Counselors, Administrators, Advisors, Tutors

• Weekly Team Meetings

• Deepens Working Relationships

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Team Approach

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Student testimonial“School-wise MPS is the best thing that has happened in my life. Math is a difficult subject, but thanks to the professor, tutors, and counselors, I am completing my math requirements for my major. The teachers and tutors really make math a lot less complicated and make it somewhat fun. I strongly recommend the program to students that don’t have a strong background in math.”- Saul Gembe

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Student testimonial

“When I first started out, I had no idea how intense the class was going to be. The labs, Homework, projects, exams, quizzes, etc…were overwhelming to me, but, as the weeks went by I understood why all this was necessary. I began to understand why and how things in the program worked. I was no longer overwhelmed and felt confident again that I am smart enough for math.”- Emily Ikuta

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Student testimonial

“The MPS Program has definitely helped me understand Math. In the past, it was very difficult to grasp different concepts. Now, I find myself at times helping other people with it.”- Godfrey Ramos

Benefits

• Successful Students

• Enriched College Experience

• Moral & Ethical Reasons

• Program Components Applicable to Other

Developmental Disciplines

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Implementing at Your Institution

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• Educate Everyone- Instructors- Student Body- Grant Funders- Counselors- Administration

• Maintain, Analyze and Share Data• Start Small

Contact Us:

HernandoHerminio@deanza.edu(counselor)

MathiosDiane@fhda.eduGeraghtyMo@deanza.edu

(faculty)

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Challenges

Instructors

Coordination

Counseling

Facilities

Politics

Growth

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• Must Commit to Cohort for Year

• Emotionally Exhausting

• Requires More Preparation

• Extra Activities

• Recruitment

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ChallengesInstructors

• Student Recruitment and Registration

• Availability of Staff for Weekly Meetings

• Extensive Commitment for Adjunct Faculty

• Tutor Recruitment & Training

• Collaboration Among Counselors, Tutors & Faculty

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ChallengesCoordination

• Recruitment & Reluctance

• Dilution of Services

• High Demand, Low Supply

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ChallengesCounselors

• Rooms for Double Time

• Shortage of Classrooms on Campus

• More Accommodations for Special Needs

Students

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ChallengesFacilities

• Conflicting Philosophies

• Resource Distribution

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ChallengesPolitics

• Exacerbates Existing Challenges

• Recruitment and Training

• Increased Complexity in Coordination

• “Cost”

• Requires Cultural Change across Institution

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ChallengesGrowth