1. Succeeding in the PACe Program
Anita Pattison, PACe Program Associate Director
Lois Samer, PACe Program Co-Director

2. Paced Algebra to Calculus electronically
PACe stands for Paced Algebra to Calculus electronically

3. Mastery Based Program
Students must ‘master’ the content of each unit before testing on the next unit.
Mastery is defined as earning a minimum passing score of 80%.
Non-punitive features
Unlimited retesting
Extended withdrawal deadline
Grade of U for non-completion
*This slide is one of two that you need to click the mouse to show the next bullet point. I start by explaining what is meant by mastery based. Sometimes I compare it to their previous math experience. Something like:* In your previous math classes you most likely studied a chapter of material then the class as a whole took an exam that covered that chapter and whether or not you did well on that exam the class as a whole moved on to the next chapter of material. Math is a subject that builds on itself and if you miss certain key concepts with those earlier topics you start to struggle in the course. We are trying to prevent that making sure you have a good basic understanding before moving on and we do that by requiring a minimum passing score of 80% on the exam on that earlier chapter of material (or units as we call them) before you can test on later chapters.
We also try to be non-punitive where possible by allowing unlimited retesting until you do get that minimum passing score.
We have an extended withdrawal deadline so if you find that you are not getting through as much math as you planned this semester can withdrawal up until the 12th weeks of classes. This is four weeks later than most other classes. *I will point out on handout where the student can find our registration dates.*
Now if you don’t withdrawal and you don’t finish the grade we assign is a U for unsatisfactory. The U will be a permanent entry on your transcript but it is not calculated into you GPA so it will not hurt your academic standing at CSU. *Big question now from student is if they get an A is that calculated into their GPA, answer is yes. Sometimes I go ahead and explain it but sometimes they still ask.*

4. Pre-Calculus Classes MATH 117 – College Algebra I
MATH 118 – College Algebra II
MATH 124 – Logarithmic and
Exponential Functions
MATH 125 – Numerical Trigonometry
MATH 126 – Analytic Trigonometry
The PACe Center is where the Pre-calculus course are taught at CSU. These are the one credit courses in our program.

5. Prerequisite Order
MATH 117
MATH 118
MATH MATH 125
MATH 126

6. Registration Register for all PACe courses by Add Deadline.
Add Deadline is the Sunday after the first week of classes.
Add with Override Deadline is the Thursday of the second week of classes.  Not automatically granted.
Drop Deadline is the Wednesday of the third week of classes.
Withdrawal Deadline is the Sunday after the Twelfth week of classes.

7. Registration Possible sections:
001 – On campus, tests must be taken in the PACe Center.
401 – Summer only, for CSU students completing the course remotely.
550 – Used to collect credit earned from MPE.
801 – CSU Online section.

8. Registration How many PACe Courses to take? Consider:
Math ACT/SAT score
Math background, ability, aptitude
One size doesn’t fit all
Student’s self discipline and ability to plan (taking only one course may not be the best option if these skills are weak).
Other classes on their schedule

9. Registration Fall 2017 end of the semester completion rates.
1 Course
2 Courses
3 Courses
4 Courses
5 Courses
1st Course
75.7%
93.7%
92.2%
94.6%
86.4%
2nd Course
82.4%
89.7%
93.2%
88.6%
3rd Course
77.4%
91.9%
4th Course
81.1%
5th Course
79.6%
Fall 2017 Enrollment Numbers
1 Course
2 Courses
3 Courses
4 Courses
5 Courses
Week 2
1209
1342
402
100 76
Week 16
1185
1048
243 74 44

10. Are PACe Courses self-paced?
“My advisor told me that I can work on my course when ever I want.”
The important message is:
The student can pick when to work on math each week.
But they must work on math weekly.
The courses are not self- paced.

11. PACe Courses are Not Self-Paced
Strict deadline schedule
Due dates based on # of enrolled PACe courses.
“Penalty” for missing is loss of points.
Penalty is only applied to the course student is currently completing.
Can always work ahead “

12. PACe Courses are Not Self-Paced
Must pass Final Exam by deadline but may retest to improve grade until the last day of classes.
Earning minimum exam scores may not mean the course is completed  also need minimum # of points. “

13. PACe Course Structure Each course has 4 units of content
Each unit has
5 Objectives with Required Assignments
A Review Exam (with due dates)
A Unit Exam
A comprehensive Final Exam (with due date)
*read slide*
*then I point out that it is a outline that they can follow. What is available to them is in full color. What they can’t do yet is grayed out and there should be a reason next to it why they can’t do it.*
If you click on the link for the objective you *next slide*

14. Due Dates Review Exams If passed by the due date  earn 3 points.
If not passed by the due date  earn 0 points, but still must pass.

15. Due Dates Unit Exams No due dates
Review Exams
If passed by the due date  earn 3 points.
If not passed by the due date  earn 0 points, but still must pass..
Unit Exams
No due dates
Must pass before taking next Review Exam

16. Due Dates Final Exam Must be passed by the due date.
Review Exams
If passed by the due date  earn 3 points.
If not passed by the due date  earn 0 points, but still must pass.
Unit Exams
No due dates
Must pass before taking next Review Exam
Final Exam
Must be passed by the due date.
Safety net  If not passed by due date but eligible, have 1 attempt the next “business” day.

17. Grades Based on the number of points earned.
Passing Review Exams by due dates
3 points each
12 total points possible
Best passing Unit Exam scores
8 to 10 points each
40 total points possible
Best passing Final Exam score
16 to 20 points
20 total points possible
Students must have at least 57 points (out of 72 possible) to complete the course.

18. Recovery Options Withdraw from one or more PACe courses.
When to withdrawal?
Which course is best?
Talk with a PACe Director
a “virtual” withdrawal
forfeiting one or more PACe courses

19. 1 ADD 2 DROP 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 WITHDRAW 13 14 15 Week 5 Courses
3 Courses
2 Courses
1 Course 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
ADD
DROP
WITHDRAW

20. Common Student Complaints
I answered correctly, but it was marked incorrect.
There is a slim possibility this is true. We will always give the student credit if deserved.
Most often, the student is overlooking the reason why the answer was graded as incorrect.
Expected to know how to round numbers correctly.

21. Common Student Complaints
I got the problem incorrect because the computer rounded wrong
How to round is based on the context of the problem.
Quick quiz:
You solve a population growth model and get X = What is the answer? 52
In what year will the value of a home reach $350,000. You get X = What is the answer? 10

22. Quick Quiz Round to two decimal places
X =  X = 3.12 or X = 3.13
X <  X < 3.12 or X < 3.13
X <  X < or X < -3.13
X >  X > 3.12 or X > 3.13
X >  X > or X > -3.13

23. Common Student Complaints
I got a problem on the exam that I’ve never seen.
Yes, that is possible.
Will never get a problem on an exam in which the mathematical concept has not been covered.
Students should be applying what they are learning.
All items come from the same pool of questions. The more the student practices, the more likely they will be exposed to the various problem types.

24. Common Student Complaints
I get 100% on my Review Exams, but I can’t pass the Unit Exam.
Treat Review Exams like Unit Exams  don’t use reference materials.
Be wary of a calculator issue. Students assume that the settings in the Testing Center are identical to their personal calculators.

25. Common Student Complaints
Why do I have to teach myself math?
Learning must be done by the learner.
‘“Mathematics is not a spectator sport.” Consistent effort and practice along with regular class work are the key elements in the successful completion of any mathematics course of study.’ FVTC College Tech Math 2 Syllabus

26. Common Student Complaints
This program is just a way to save money.
The PACe Program is not inexpensive  significant overhead with personnel and computing resources.
Alternative would be multiple credit large lectures taught by a GTA.
This program is designed to promote student success.

27. PACe Program Traditional Class Possible for students to skip lecture.
Required video lectures that student can watch repeatedly, pause, and rewind.
45 hours each week of office hours to get help from course assistants.
Allows student to customize both content and credit load.
Student can work closely with course assistants.
Possible for students to skip lecture.
Approximately 3 hours of office hours each week.
Class moves at a set pace. No customization.
Students can ask the instructor questions. “

28. Common Student Complaints
I need a teacher.
Lack of student attendance has shown students don’t value this resource.

29. Class Attendance
Semester
Course
Total Enroll.
# of class sections
Initial class enroll.
1st class attend.
Mid-session attend.
End of session attend.
Fall 2008
M117
1277 3 79 43 30 14
M118
1716 4 65 34 21 6
M124
1108 16 5 2
M125
844 27
M126
376 1
Spring 2009
709 24 9 10
1005 28
1032 15
685 17 8
269

30. Classes Spring and Fall 2016
Small offering with lecture covering content to match due dates for students in two courses.
Only a handful of students attended
In Fall 2016 about 780 students were registered for just MATH 117 and 118. At most 5 students attended.

31. How you can help
Have the student schedule time each week to work on their math.
3 hours each week per course.
For example, if a student is taking 3 PACe courses, the workload is 9 hours each week  just like a conventional 3 credit class.
Encourage the student to work ahead and finish early in the semester.
Remind the student that you have to practice math to learn math.

32. How you can help, cont.
The PACe Learning Center, Weber 136, is their classroom.
They can get help.
PACe Learning Center, 45 hours each week
ALVS, 4 hours one afternoon each week
Have the student talk with a PACe Director if they are struggling and/or experience extenuating circumstances.

33. Questions?