PASS Learning Community

(Partnering for Academic SuccesS)

MPC Academic SenateFebruary 3, 2011

PASS- Spring 2010

• PASS Faculty– Coordinator: Kim Shirley– PASS Counselor: Alex Lopez– English 301 (Introduction to Academic Writing):

Jamie Gerard– Math 351 (Pre-Algebra): Tracie Catania– FACS 56 (Life Management): Kim Shirley– Academic Support Center: Marilyn Townsend

Math Sequence

3 units P/NP

English Sequence

4 units P/NP

PASS- Spring 2010

• Structure– Faculty meet every two weeks– Communicate weekly through email• Attendance• Study Skills we need to address• Student Performance

• Students met with counselor throughout the semester and created an education plan

PASS- Spring 2010Evaluation

• Included multiple sources of data– Institutional data (Success, Retention, Persistence)– English SLO Assessment– Post-Surveys– Interviews with students

PASS- Spring 2010Evaluation

SUCCESSPASS (n=17)

Comparable Non-PASS

(n=8)

General Population

ENGL 301 53% 25% 49% (n=156)

MATH 351 47% 38% 51% (n=85)

FACS 56 59% 67% (n=17)

PASS- Spring 2010Evaluation

PASS- Spring 2010Evaluation

RETENTIONPASS (n=17)

Comparable Non-PASS

(n=8)

General Population

ENGL 301 82% 50% 58% (n=156)

MATH 351 82% 63% 72% (n=85)

FACS 56 82% 71% (n=17)

PASS- Spring 2010Evaluation

PASS- Spring 2010Evaluation

Persistence PASS (n=14)

Comparable Non-PASS (n=8)

Overall Rates 93% 38%

Progressed in English 43% 13%

Same level of English 36% 25%

Progressed in Math 50% 0%

Same level of Math 36% 0%

PASS- Spring 2010Evaluation

PASS- Spring 2010Evaluation

PASS- Spring 2010Evaluation

• Student Interviews- Fall 2010–Return to MPC? Did the PASS learning

community help?“I really feel like the counselor and Kim helped

me stay motivated. I was a lot more excited about school after I finished last semester.”

“PASS Counselor, Alex and instructors really encouraged me to come back and try even though I did not do well in classes last semester.”

PASS- Spring 2010Evaluation

• Student Interviews- Fall 2010–How confident do you feel in your classes?

“I didn’t feel great about starting classes this Fall but I didn’t want to lose what I had done last semester. I really felt like the instructors cared.”

“If it wasn’t for the instructor and counselor support I would have never been able to continue with school.”

PASS- Spring 2010Evaluation

• Student Interviews- Fall 2010–What are some successful skills you have

used?“I use a lot of time management skills now. I

keep a schedule of my week with me all the time.”

“I go to the instructors a lot more now. Before I wouldn’t have talked to them but I feel a lot better about doing that.”

PASS2010-2011

• Two PASS Communities1.Math Focus– Math 351 (Pre-Algebra)– Mandated Supplemental Instruction– PERS 200 (Orientation to College)

2.English Focus– English 301 (Intro. to Academic Writing)– English 302 (Intro. to Academic Reading)– PERS 200 (Orientation to College)

PASS FALL 2011 and Beyond?

• Continue the research in Spring 2011• The research, so far, indicates that PASS would

be a good model to continue and possibly replicate

• Not eligible for Basic Skills funding• Institutionalize?• Fund portions?• Instructors running their own learning

community with no external funding/support