Western Carolina University
Program Assessment Plan
Mathematics Tutoring Center
Assessment Plan for 2006-2007
Primary Contact Name/Info:
Nory Prochaska, Mathematics Tutoring Center (MTC)
Program Mission Statement:
The mission of the Mathematics Tutoring Center is to provide academic assistance to students enrolled in
mathematics and computer science courses. The Center provides a full schedule of drop-in tutoring for all
lower division math courses, and regularly scheduled individual tutoring appointments are available. Help
in Computer Science courses is available from CS tutors in the Department's student lab. The Center
maintains a library of mathematics textbooks for the use of students and tutors. The Center will assist in
organizing study groups and offers a supportive environment for cooperative learning, group work, and
student-teacher interaction.
Statement on Alignment of Program Mission w/ University and/or Division Mission:
In the university’s central mission of teaching and learning, the Academic Success Centers represent a
significant step between teaching and learning—between what happens in the classroom and the
individual student’s success in learning. The tutoring experience offers students an individual invitation
into the community of scholarship by building and reinforcing productive academic skills and strategies.
The centers are an important point at which students, faculty, and staff assume joint responsibility for
student learning.
Program Goals/Objectives:
•
To increase undergraduate student use of the MTC services
•
To achieve a client satisfaction rating of 75%
•
To assist first-year tutors in developing an understanding and practice of effective tutoring
1
Intended Outcome
At least 400 students from
100 and 200-level classes
will choose to participate in
drop-in tutoring in the MTC
during the academic year.
At least 50 students will
choose to participate in
MTC Workshops during the
academic year.
Fewer than 25% of the
students who participate in
tutoring or workshops will
be dissatisfied with their
experience
Curricular and/or Co-curricular
Experiences
Students will learn about the tutoring program
from:
• Faculty (as a result of regular
communication between the MTC and
the faculty teaching appropriate courses)
• Advisors who refer students to tutoring
• Information students receive at
Orientation
• MTC staff who visit classes to promote
services
• MTC website (www.wcu.edu/mathlab)
Students will learn about the MTC Workshops
from:
• Faculty
• Advisors
• Information students receive at
orientation
• Tutors or other MTC staff
• The MTC website
Students will have satisfactory experiences in
drop-in tutoring sessions and workshops
facilitated by MTC staff.
Method(s) of Assessment
•
•
•
•
Attendance records will be kept at all Workshops
Workshop attendance will be included in the Director’s
MTC End-of-Year Report
•
Upon logging out from each tutoring sessions,
students will respond to the prompt “Describe your
tutoring experience” using a drop-down menu with the
following response options:
o I received useful assistance
o I still have questions and will return later
o I am not satisfied with my tutoring
experience
o Study Only, no assistance needed
Students will complete satisfactions surveys at the
conclusion of each workshop
Results of both of these assessment tools will be
included in the Director’s End-of-Year Report.
At the end of the semester, both COUN 230 students
and the instructor will complete a written assessment
based on CRLA Level I criteria. This tool will assess
tutors’ understanding of specific skills covered in
COUN 230. The director will discuss the results with
tutors in individual conferences.
Students who receive tutoring will have an opportunity
to evaluate their tutor(s) at the end of each semester.
The evaluation tool assesses tutors’ demonstration of
specific skills covered in COUN 230. The results of
this evaluation are included in the Director’s End-ofYear Report.
•
•
New tutors will demonstrate
an understanding of
effective tutoring practices.
•
•
New tutors must complete COUN 230
during their first year of tutoring in the
MTC..
Students in COUN 230 will be exposed to
skill areas outlined in the College
Reading and Learning Association
(CRLA) tutor training certification.
2
Reports generated by TutorTrac at the end of each
semester will indicate how many students were seen
from lower division mathematics courses. The results
of these reports will be included in the Driector’s MTC
End-of-Year Report
Each semester, students who participate in tutoring will
be asked upon logging into their first visit how they
learned about the MTC services.
•
•