Gateway to GraduationDr. Sundar, Dr. Wu, Dr. Jóhannsdóttir

October 23, 2015

Purpose

• Every year the mathematics department loses “some” of its students. Students either transfer to a different department, or worse, they leave the college all together.

Purpose

We set out to:

• Find the main reasons for students drop out/failure.

• Change the mathematics experience of the participants in the study by providing the tools, instruction, and support to find a pathway to persist and succeed in mathematics.

Process

• Mathematics 103 and 106• Calculus I

• Analyzed passing rates of students retaking remedial classes.

• Comparative experiment. • We offered students both in class

and one-on-one tutoring.• Surveyed students who had

failed/dropped out of Calculus I.

Process

• Timeline:– Fall 14: Gathering information/data

from mathematics faculty. Identifying classes and students for the study.

– Spring 15: Research, planning, hiring tutors, identifying students, writing interview guide, survey, IRB.

– Summer 15: Focus on Remedial classes.– Fall 15: Processing information from

summer. Survey and processing information from survey.

Assessment Methods

• Comparative experiment• Non-randomized experiment• Statistical Analysis • Surveys, questionnaires

End Result

• Students retaking remedial math, passing rate with tutor was 71%, without 34%.

• Failing Calculus I:– Lack of time– 58.33% would choose the same instructor again– Students blame themselves for the their failure– Plan to change study habits

End Result

• Not a statistically significant difference between grades of students with in class tutoring and without it.

Lessons Learned

• Identify students at risk and provide extra help.

• Students with weak academic background need one-on-one counseling and academic support.

• Special focus on students failing remedial courses – provide support and positive academic environment.

• Students are reluctant to talk about reasons behind their failure.

• Course on Study Habits in Mathematics.