1. Acceleration and STEM Pathways
Jenny Freidenreich, Diablo Valley College

2. Traditional Sequence
Prealgebra  Beginning Algebra  Intermediate Algebra FALL 2015 results at DVC:
COURSE
Census
Success
Percent
Prealgebra
340
206
61%
Beg Algebra
511
231
45%
Int Algebra
934
490
52%

3. Chances for success? 0.61 x 0.45 x 0.52 = 0.14274
Assuming Fall 2015 was a “typical semester” and assuming 100% retention in three semesters:
0.61 x 0.45 x 0.52 =
14% of students who started in prealgebra would be ready for college-level math class in 1.5 years.
23% of students who started in beginning algebra would be ready for college-level math in 1 year.
52% of students who started in intermediate algebra would be ready for college-level math in 1 semester.

4. Raising Success Rates
“By 2025, California will need 2.3 million more graduates who have earned a certificate or degree than it is on track to produce today. At least a million of those graduates need to have baccalaureate degrees. To reach this goal, California’s public and private colleges will need to produce 40% more graduates each year than they do today.”
The Little Hoover Commission (2013) A New Plan for a New Economy: Reimagining Higher Education

5. Where are the jobs?
Health services has become the largest employment sector in the state.
Professional scientific & tech services is a high- paying sector that has fueled the recovery.
It is projected that 41% of the jobs in California in the year will require a college degree. Currently, 34% of workers have a college degree.*
* Public Policy Institute of California

6. Acceleration Statway/Quantway (Carnegie Foundation)
Pre-statistics (CAP: California Acceleration Project)
Note: the above 2 are pathways that terminate.
2-semester version of the traditional sequence: STEM acceleration at DVC!

7. Various Options at DVC
Traditional Sequence (the bulk of our developmental ed classes)
Self-Paced (ALEKS no lecture)
Statway (about 4 sections)
Accelerated Algebra (Math 85 & Math119)

8. Course Content Repetition of topics eliminated
Study skills in the curriculum
Accelerated Algebra I : Prealgebra plus linear equations and graphing linear functions.
Accelerated Algebra II: Linear, Exponential, Logs, Polynomials, Quadratics, Square roots, Rational functions.

9. Cheaper, too! MyOpenMath.com for online homework
Fewer units, but longer hours.
No textbook!
Resource materials for Instructor
Students fill their binders with daily handouts which acts as pages of a textbook
Student binders are graded twice/semester

10. Keep it fresh & creative!

11. College Skills & Support
Part of the grade (I made it 6%)
Binder Checks
Time Management
Math autobiography (Writing across the curriculum)
Self-corrected practice tests

12. Fall 14
MAX
Census
Success
Percent
Math 85 35 34 26
76% 8
31%
SP 15 15 11
73%
Math 119 37 9
24% 14
79%
Fall 15 33 20
61% 29 18
62%
SP 16
48% 21

13. Overall Success 0.52 x 0.52 = 0.27 27% is better than 14%! OVERALL
Census
Success
Percent
Math 85
137 71
52%
Math 119
114 59
0.52 x 0.52 = 0.27
27% is better than 14%!

14. Staying Open to Ideas Students are grateful for something new.
Building student confidence is half the battle.
Building community builds student confidence
Math & science needs good ambassadors!