THE SOLUTION A cademic M astery P roject

BLACK SWAN THEORY Black Swan Events are high-impact, hard-to-predict, and rare events that are beyond the realm of normal expectations. Such events are considered “extreme outliers” (Taleb, 2007).

IDENTIFYING A BLACK SWAN EVENT 1.The event is a surprise 2.The event has a major impact 3.After the fact, the event is rationalized by hindsight, as if it had been expected.

Arkansas’s Math Remediation Problem Two-Year College – 66% + Four-Year College – 33% (Arkansas Dept. of Higher Ed. 2008)

76% of college students who take remedial courses in reading never earn a degree. 75 % of college students who take remedial courses in math never earn a degree. (George, 2010) Nationwide Remediation Problem

THE NORMAL CURVE All swans are white and the world does not offer any surprises. A rather boring place to live. (Most predictions in the world come from the assumption that all statistics fit the bell-curve model.)

Foundations of Mathematics

Reality for Developmental Education There are plenty of black swans. Two sets of outliers with different needs. An exciting world with little predictability.

Does Developmental Education Work? Direct Entry Students ACT Scores or 19 or above Mean – 2.32 Out of 4 points possible Standard Deviation – 1.24 Students required to take Intermediate Algebra Mean – 2.29 Out of 4 points possible Standard Deviation -.65

Foundations of Mathematics A Black Swan Process 1.Contains all of the competencies of Essential Mathematics, Introductory Algebra and Intermediate Algebra. 2.Modulated competencies. 3.Computer Based program (Hawkes) 4.Based on Mastery Learning (80% / B level). 5.Student Regulated. 6.Open exit. 7.Pre and Post-test Assessment.

After Two Semesters Traditional Intermediate Algebra Class – A & B - 35% (Mastery Level) – C – 40% – D – 5% – F – 5% – Drop-outs 15% Foundations (23 students) – Essential – Intermediate 28% – Essential – Introductory Algebra 26% – Introductory Algebra – Intermediate Algebra 25% – Essential 17% – Non-completers – 2% – Drop-outs – 2%  28 % of the students enrolled completed three developmental courses with a B or better grade.  51% or the students enrolled completed two developmental courses with an B or better grade.

What About Today? 1.Present enrollment starting at module starting at modules starting at modules students completed modules 1-6 retook the Compass and tested into Modules students completed modules 1-6 retook the Compass and were placed in modules 7-10.

Academic Mastery Project

The Problem  The graduation rate for students requiring remediation in more than one level of English, Reading, and Mathematics is near ZERO.  Those students cannot graduate within 150% of program time.

The Problem 75% of students who are remedial in mathematics NEVER graduate (George, 2010).

The Problem  Community colleges receive a majority of entering students who require remediation and a vast majority of students requiring remediation in all three areas.  At CCCUA, 74% of students are remedial in one area. 65% are remedial in all areas.  Remediation = low statistical chances of graduation.  Community college students = 74% remedial students.

The Solution Academic Mastery Project (AMP)  Pilot phase  Some data, but more required

The Solution  Total redesign of remedial progression.  Mastery based learning (80% proficiency or better).  Modules similar to Adult Education format.  Completely customized to individual student needs.

The Solution Two new classes take the place of six remedial classes:  Foundations for Writing – Replaces College Reading, Essential English, and Developmental Writing  Foundation of Mathematics – Replaced Essential Math, Introductory Algebra, and Intermediate Algebra

The Solution  Foundations of Writing will be piloted in the Spring 2011 semester.  AMP will be piloted with 40 students in the Fall  All instruction by full-time faculty…no adjuncts.  Computer based lab components accessible from anywhere.

The Solution  AMP will contain a learning community of students who require remediation in all three areas: Reading, English, and Mathematics.  The students will be enrolled in – Foundations of Mathematics – Foundations for Writing – Success Strategies

Implications AMP will allow students to:  complete remediation in one semester.  graduate within 150% of program length.  gain documented mastery skills necessary to persist in college level courses.

Implications With AMP:  Remediation costs to the institution and the state will be greatly reduced (maybe cut in half!).  Students will save the time and costs of up to 12 credit hours of tuition and 4 text books.

Citations George, M. (2010). Ethics and motivation in remedial mathematics education. Community College Review, 38(1), 82. Taleb, M. (2007).