Re: [MATHEDCC] Retention or look out the sky is falling

Vern Kays (vkays@RICHLAND.CC.IL.US)
Wed, 16 Apr 1997 07:36:24 -0500

Having read recent comments related to retention and the related subjects,
lack of student performance and outside pressure to change. I want to
encourage all faculty to stand firm. We may be losing a war, but it will
be lost battle by battle. There is increasing pressure from outside the
mathematics community, adminstrators, nursing departments, none mathematics
areas, and students to lower the bar. Reform is not about lowering the bar
of mathematical competence. It is about changing the way we teach to meet
the needs of student. It is harder not easier. Students need more help.
MOre support around the class room. It takes time. We cannot replace in one
or even two semesters what was not learned or deemed important to the
student in 5 or six years of middle and high school. And it is not just
mathematics that is being attacked, we are being told to creat a new course
for our LPN nurses that will do in one semester what 3 or 4 semesters of
real college level science must do. Why? Because the LPN Association
demands that our school drop six hours of credit. Rather then create
compentent nurses with appropriate pre-requisites we are going to keep an
open door policy. Give them a course that will never meet any real college
level ability.

There is a growing confusion about community colleges role. WE can provide
the first two years of college level content. It does not mean that students
can our should always obtain that content in two years. Given the fact that
only 17% of our students place in college mathematics via placement. It is
little wonder that it can take a student 3 to 5 semesters just to get to
college level mathematics in the first place. I know I am ranting but I am
getting ready to take on the VP of Academic Affairs over just these and
other issues today. So I am venting in the hope I will maintain a certain
level of calm later today.

On a different note. We have a successful rental program that we developed
with in the department. We used some seed money and purchased TI -82's and
later 83's and some 92's. We ran it out of the department for several
semesters until it became to large and turned it over to our book store. We
have forms and procedures if any one wants to see them send me snail mail
address and I will send a copy of the materials to you.

May your day be bright and may you students see the logic of your purpose.

Vern Kays

****************************************************************************
* To post to the list: email mathedcc@archives.math.utk.edu *
* To unsubscribe, send mail to: majordomo@archives.math.utk.edu *
* In the mail message, enter ONLY the words: unsubscribe mathedcc *
* Words in the Subject: line are NOT processed! *
* Archives at http://archives.math.utk.edu/hypermail/mathedcc/ *
****************************************************************************