GETTING THROUGH THE

GATE AND BEYOND

ALP @ PHCC

Michelle Zollars

WHAT IS ALP?ALP (Accelerated Learning Program)

provides an opportunity for students to enroll in a developmental course and the corresponding college-level course at the same time with the same instructor.

HOW DOES ALP WORK?At registration, the student signs up for

two courses that meet consecutively: (e.g., ENG 111 @ 9:30 MW and ENG 03 @ 11:00 MW). The college-level class is made up of approximately half developmental and half non-developmental students. The developmental students then remain with the same teacher after this class ends for developmental instruction.

WHO SHOULD TAKE ALP? Students who would be taking their last

developmental class before on-level Students who realize what is involved

and are willing to commitGood advising is key!

WHAT HAPPENS IN THE CREDIT CLASS?

The same thing that happens in

a traditional

credit class!

WHAT HAPPENS IN THE DEVELOPMENTAL CLASS?

We spend time in the developmental class answering questions left over from the 111 class discussing ideas for the next essay in 111 reviewing drafts of essays the students are working

on for 111 writing short papers that reinforce what has been

discussed in the 111 class or prepare for what will be discussed in the 111 class

doing research working on grammar and punctuation (MyWritingLab) discussing how to succeed as a college student,

including advising for the next semester discussing problems interfering with the students’

progress in 111

ALP VS. TRADITIONAL ENG 03

Class size Individualized instructionSuccess rateContextualization – Students see the

immediate value of what they are learning in developmental writing.

It is a two-credit class. The traditional developmental writing class is three credits.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF TAKING ALP?

Students fulfill their developmental English requirement and college-level English requirement in the same semester.

Small class size – ALP developmental courses have ten students.

One-on-one time with the instructorHomework assignments for the college-

level course do double duty in the developmental course.

Greater chance of success – ALP courses have a higher pass rate than traditional developmental writing courses.

ALP AND THE READING/WRITING INTEGRATION ALP is one option for delivering ENF 3 Proven efficacy Structure is Peoplesoft-ready Already fits the course-credit

requirement PHCC will be using MySkillsLab – no

textbook

ALP BEST PRACTICES Class size – Make sure the ALP course is

at least half the size of the college-level course.

Scheduling – The college-level course should be taught first, immediately followed by the ALP course.

Instructor – Have the same instructor for both courses.

Cooperative learning

COOPERATIVE LEARNING AND ON-LEVEL ALP ENGLISH Ideally suited for ALP because of the

various skill levels of the students The bonding that naturally happens in

the smaller ALP course carries over into the on-level course because…Students build positive interdependency.Students are more likely to work together

outside of class.Students are taught the value of teamwork.

SO WHAT DOES ALL THIS MEAN FOR THE STUDENTS? Students develop a strong, positive

relationship with each other and with the instructor

Students have more individualized instruction due to small class size

Saves money for the student and the college Less homework for the student Students have a more rich developmental

experience because the learning is contextualized.

Developmental students are more successful in a shorter time frame!!

HOW CAN YOU MAKE ALP WORK FOR YOU?

Incorporate ALP in your schedule Identify faculty willing to give it a try Attend ALP Institute at Community

College of Baltimore County (June) Visit ALPIN website

http://www.alpinccbc.org/ Educate college advising community

regarding placement in ALP Market ALP to students Contact me!!!!

QUESTIONS????