1. Gateway courses Athens Technical College Presenters:
Michelle Ritter, English/Reading Instructor
Dr. Alysen Heil, Math Coordinator/Instructor
Glen Henry, Dean of Life Science and Public Safety

2. Improve student success in gateway courses
Goal 2:
Improve student success in gateway courses

3. Review of data Narrow the focus to three gatekeeper subjects:
Anatomy & Physiology
English
Math

5. Writing Center Pilot/Summer 2016
In order to increase success in English courses, a writing-specific center will be piloted in summer semester In its initial phase, the writing center will be staffed with one full-time English instructor for approximately three hours per week and will be available to students in college-level English courses. The center will not be a drop-off proofreading service but will be a lab to assist students in improving and gaining confidence in their writing skills. This will be accomplished with one-on-one consultation and recommendations for supplemental exercises and so on regarding any writing weaknesses. Beginning fall semester 2016, the writing center will be staffed with adjunct faculty and will, hopefully, have increased availability based on demand and funding. Eventually, the writing center will expand to serve students in all English courses.

6. Writing Center Pilot/Summer 2016
Develop a writing lab (create handouts on each subject area; install MyWritingLab and/or other software; create “prescription form” for faculty) (pilot Summer 2016).
Keep lab open for a minimum of 2500 minutes (3 credit hour class) for the semester.
Install camera so that online and/or satellite campus students can access lab instructor.
Staff writing lab with a full time instructor (course release or additional contract).
Measure success in ENGL 1011 and ENGL 1101 of students who visit the writing lab as compared to those who do not. (End of Spring 2017)
FUTURE GOAL: Open writing lab full time and on satellite campuses.

7. Math Paradigm Shift Only 5 programs REQUIRE MATH 1111 College Algebra
Biotechnology, Drafting, Engineering Technology, Emerging Technology, and Veterinary Technology.
Consumer Economics requires MATH 1113 Precalculus which MATH is a prerequisite.
Result: Removal of MATH 1111 College Algebra where possible in college catalog.
Substitute math requirement with MATH 1101 Math Modeling or MATH Quantitative Skills & Reasoning.
31 programs have the option of MATH 1101 Math Modeling
23 programs have the option of MATH 1100 Quantitative Skills & Reasoning

8. Anatomy & Physiology Retention Initiatives
Readiness Assessment Test
We have reached out to Austin Community College for information regarding the creation of an A & P ‘pre-test’.
The purpose of the pre-test is to assist students in recognizing their own areas of strengths and weaknesses as they begin their studies in A & P.
College Advisors will be informed of all support services available to A & P students in order to relay the information to students at the time of advisement.
A & P Orientation
Dr. Randall Fameree, Dr. Crystal Robinson-Hayes, and Dr. Vanessa Williams will continue to provide the orientation sessions to A & P students, both diploma and degree level.
The orientation session presents study habits helpful to all A & P students.
Incentive to attend: students who are enrolled in BIOL 2113 and BIOL 2114 will be awarded a score of 100% for a quiz grade. At this time, those students are enrolled in ALHS are not given quizzes; however, a reward will be researched.
Three information sessions were held with ~150 student attending. The sessions were very well received with many positive comments and questions from students.

9. Access to Resources
Various A & P models are now available for students to access in the library.
Tutors introduced themselves to A & P students during class to provide information with regards to hours and location of tutoring services.
All full-time instructors are trained on the Portable AV system which projects 3-D images.
In discussion, to create a Facebook page for A & P students.
In discussion, students who have unsuccessfully attempted to complete either BIOL 2113 or BIOL 2114 twice will be required to meet with the Success Coach prior to being allowed to registering for either course a 3rd time.
To assist with completion, students may be required to take ALHS 1090 Medical Terminology as a pre/co- requisite to BIOL 2113.
Cooperative Learning opportunities/sequencing
BIOL 2113 and BIOL 2114 faculty will provide 3 opportunities in lab to work collaboratively with peers. Students will be evaluated via a group quiz.
BIOL 2113 and BIOL 2114 faculty will review the validity of exam questions in which 60% or more of students did not correctly answer a question. If the question is not determined to be valid, the question will be removed as part of the grading procedure.
All A & P faculty will drop the 3 lowest quiz scores when final course grades are calculated.

10. Contacts Writing Lab: Michelle Ritter – mritter@athenstech.edu
Math Modifications: Alysen Heil –
Anatomy & Physiology: Glen Henry –