[image 1]Did you know that more than 60 percent of your NVC students will NOT graduate?
WHY???
It’s MATH, or more specifically, not becoming core complete in math.
Many students jump into Math 1414 (college algebra for STEM students – science, technology, engineering and math) based on advising, test scores, being math exempt, or just because. Math 1414 is viewed as the hardest level of college algebra that we offer and at least 50 percent of the students FAIL!
The solution – offer students multiple math pathways with relevant and challenging content aligned to specific fields of study. And, advise the students EARLY and often. The Tree of Math (TOM) offers five distinct paths, with flexibility to change areas of concentration. Three math pathways are college algebra focused and the other two math pathways are non-algebra intensive and focused on the statistical and quantitative reasoning skills needed in many current professions.
The TOM shows the various ways a student can progress through developmental math and college-level math paths. For example, a student can take the fast path of developmental Math 0305 to Math 0442 and then choose either Math 1332 (college math for Liberal Arts) or math 1442 (college level statistics). Within three semesters, a student can complete the math requirements for an Associates of Arts degree in a variety of areas. Without sacrificing the level of math concepts and skills to be learned, but with a change in delivery of the content, students will be able to experience success in math and move on.
What does this mean for non-math instructors? It means that you can
- Mark your discipline’s math path and post it around your instructional areas, and
- Help students in your discipline think about what level of math is required by their transfer institution.
Have questions? Need flyers showing the Tree of Math? Contact Mary Zocchi, mzocchi@alamo.edu in the Mathematics and Engineering department.
Contributed by Mary Zocchi, NVC Math Optimization Facilitator and Organizer
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