2010-2011 Innovation Project:
Math Boot Camp
Patti Barnes
Pat Suess, Ph.D.
Project Scope - 1
The purpose of this project was to provide an
intensive review of the basic concepts in
Prealgebra (MTH:020) for recent high school
graduates who have taken an advanced
mathematics course (Algebra II or higher) in
high school and yet have placed into MTH:020
on the STLCC placement test.
Project Scope - 2
At the conclusion of the Math Boot Camp the
students were allowed to retest and then be
placed into the appropriate course, hopefully
eliminating or reducing the need for
developmental coursework.
Project Highlights - 1
4-day, 1.12 CE credits (3.5 hours each day)
Workshop format
Pre-test: identified student’s areas of weakness
Mini-lectures on 4 core topics:
Fractions
Decimals
Percents and proportions
Solving equations
Project Highlights - 2
Individualized skill-building and problemsolving practice
Mastery-level testing
Post-test: placement test retake
Student eligibility:
Graduated from high school in previous 18 months
Completed Algebra II or higher in high school
Scored between 26 and 59 on the Arithmetic
portion of the STLCC placement test
Project Team
Project Coordinator: Patti Barnes, Manager of
Asssessment, FV
Faculty Leader: Pat Suess, Chair of Mathematics
Department, FV
Faculty Participants:
John Elliott, MC
Evelyn Corich, FP
Anne Marie Mosher, FV
Project Tasks Completed - 1
Pre-test and mastery test instrument identified –
MyMathTest
Topics and delivery schedule developed
Bridges to Elementary Algebra (MTH:027)
materials were reviewed
Format, sequence of topics, method(s) of
instruction determined
Project Tasks Completed - 2
Pre-test and individualized mastery-level tests
were refined
Skill-building and problem-solving practice sets
were reviewed and edited
Instructional materials were revised
A detailed/daily schedule of topics was created
Student workbooks were compiled and printed
for each session
Project Tasks Completed - 3
The student recruitment plan was finalized
Assessment and advising managers at each
campus were asked to assist in recruiting
participants
Prospect identification questions were added to
the math placement test at each campus
Continuing Education scheduled a pilot course
session at each campus
600 eligible students received follow-up notices
Results - 1
15 students were registered for each Math Boot
Camp (with 28 students on wait lists)
2 students cancelled their registration
45 students actually attended the four sessions
Boot Camp sessions were scheduled during July:
FP 7/11 – 7/14 @ 12:30 – 4:00 pm
MC 7/11 – 7/14 @ 5:30 – 9:00 pm
FV 7/18 – 7/21 @ 1:00 – 4:30 pm
WW /25 – 7/28 @ 5:30 – 9:00 pm
Results - 2
The student registration fee was $25
8 students applied for scholarships to cover the
registration fee
Gift cards for STLCC bookstores were given to
participants who completed the program
Results - 3
2 students did not meet the entrance
qualifications
29 of the 43 qualified students moved out of
MTH:020
3 placed into MTH:040
17 placed into MTH:030
8 placed into MTH:140
1 placed into MTH:160
Results – 4 (Eligibility)
Campus
Florissant Valley
Number of Students Meeting
Eligibility Requirements*
209
Forest Park
180
Meramec
324
Wildwood
22
Harrison Center
35
*Students tested between March 1 and June 22, 2011.
Results – 5 (Final Placement)
Course Placement
MTH 020 Pre Algebra (no
change)
MTH 040 Elementary
Algebra and Basic Math
MTH 030 Elementary
Algebra
MTH 140 Intermediate
Algebra
MTH 160 College Algebra
Number of students
14 (32.6%)
3 (7.0%)
17 (39.5%)
8 (18.6%)
1 (2.3%)
Recommendations - 1
Expand Math Boot Camp to include multiple
face-to-face summer sessions at each campus
Keep the enrollment capacity at 15 per session
Continue to offer the program through
Continuing Education (not a majority opinion)
Develop a 60-minute train-the-trainer program
to help adjunct instructors prepare to teach Math
Boot Camp sessions
Recommendations - 2
Continue to use MyMathTest for pre-testing,
mastery-level testing, and individualized student
practice
Align the MyMathTest components with
COMPASS (includes more topics in the
Prealgebra section than Accuplacer)
Revise/reduce the student workbook materials
Recommendations - 3
Pilot self-directed sessions:
Students would follow a customized set of
directions to manage their own instruction
A retest appointment would be scheduled upon
registration
Package student materials and MyMathTest access
codes for sale in STLCC bookstores
Expand the program to include review materials
for Elementary Algebra (aligned with COMPASS)
Thank you!
Any Questions