[MATHEDCC] course repeaters
Seese, Lillian (lseese@mcmail.stlcc.cc.mo.us)
Fri, 02 Jan 1998 17:19:21 -0800
We, too have been concerned about course repeaters.
We surveyed every single math student we have (campus = 16,000, usually
about 4-5,000 taking math) about what they do in a math course, then sorted
into 2 piles - those who were repeating a course and those who were
enrolled for the first time. We saw lots of patterns of behavior in the
course repeater's group which looked correctable (never come to class the
first week, don't do homework regularly, but cram before tests, don't know
their teacher's name, never visit tutors, work at least 30 - 40 hours a
week, don't have study buddies, etc.). We looked at local data (we did
this at the suggestion of Paul Nolting, of math study skills fame - he has
done this data for several schools, I believe), and found that the more
often a student enrolls in a class, the less likely they are to pass it.
We spent a year or so trying to get something in place, and now it sort of
is. We had lots of resistance from academic advisors, counselors, and
students, but lots of support from other departments and administrators. I
went to a dept. chair conference and did an informal survey of several
community colleges, and lots of people are looking at this situation.
Now, before enrolling for a third time, students must meet with a member
of the math department to design strategies for success. a math signature
is needed to register for a class. Several of us meet with students. We
are surprised at how often students opt to take a lower level course, or to
re-take the placement test to see if their math skills are fresh. For the
summer we got about 65% of the course repeaters through, and don't have
data for fall yet. We feel that it is working. We have had very little
negative feedback from students we speak with. Most are thankful to have
someone express an interest in their success. At midterm we send letters
to all students with non-C grades, reminding them that if they don't bring
their grades up they will have to repeat the course, and offering
suggestions on how to bring their grades up. We currently ask students who
come in for an appointment to sign a statement that says they understand
that if they don't pass this next time that they may be asked to drop down
a class or may be asked to re-take the placement test. We don't really
have administrative (board policy) approval to require this yet, though.
Will be interested to see what you come up with. Our method is lot of
work, but we think the PR is worth it.
Lillian Seese
SLCC Meramec
Kirkwood Missouri
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