Orange Coast College
Re-Entry Center
Becoming Math Confident Academy
Team members:
Nicolette Jackson
Barb Reed
Debbie Raskin
Patty Van Noble
Becky Thron
Jordan Huynh
(Jaime Blair)
Needs Statement
• HISTORY OF PROBLEM
– Math requirement was raised for graduation in
CCC’s
– Pervasive resistance to math
– Extension of Re-Entry’s established Math
Confidence workshop
– Improve success rates with added
structure/support of learning community
– New component of OCC’s Student Success Center
and self paced Math
Basic Skills Initiative Grant
• Becoming Math Confident Academy
– Two semester program targeting students who are
planning to take Pre-Algebra and are highly
anxious about math (low skills/high anxiety)
– Two unit fall counseling class (study skills, time
and stress management)
• Support of Professional Experts for individuals & groups
– Spring Pre-Algebra Math class
• Support of Professional Experts in class & groups
BUDGET
Professional Experts
BT -$812.50 (Fall 2013/Spring 2014)
CO-$812.50 (Fall 2013/Spring 2014)
IT- $812.50 (Fall 2013/Spring 2014)
PV-$812.50 (Fall 2013/Spring 2014) TOTAL $6,500
Overload Teaching
NJ-$2,304(Fall 2013)
TOTAL $2,304
Overtime Classified
BR-$1,544.30 (Fall 2013/Spring 2014) TOTAL $3,088.60
Assistant
JH-$500 (Fall 2013/Spring 2014)
TOTAL $1,000
Supplies and Advertising
TOTAL $2,137.00
GRAND TOTAL $15,029.60 * Does not include benefits
In the Beginning
Advertised in several ways to attract students
Math Confidence Inventory (NJ)
Individual intake meeting
Explaining program
Documentation form (student contact information)
Email connections between staff and students
Collaboration Committee meetings
Managing the Mean Math Blues
by Cheryl Ooten with Kathy Moore
• Chapter/week in textbook
– Journaling personal
exploration of affective &
cognitive learning processes along
with study skills & learning styles
– Professional experts leading
support/study groups
– Optional Mastering Math’s
Mysteries exercises in textbook
Professional Experts Role
Explore the roots of fear
Identify old dysfunctional patterns of
avoidance
Recognize triggers and hurtful self-talk
Overview the multiplicity of new more
functional choices
Improving self-talk
Reducing/stopping hurtful thoughts
Thought distortions
Affirmations and visualizations
Deep diaphramatic breathing and
meditation
Time management
Study skills for math
Test taking skills for math tests
Pre-Algebra Syllabus Highlights
On line assignments (homework help, chapter study
plans, practice tests, videos plus more help)
Free tutoring and study sessions
Grading
 Attendance 5%
 Homework 10%
 Participation 20% (math autobiography, study summaries,
flash cards, practice tests, quizzes)
 Tests 40%
 Comprehensive Final 25%
 Extra credit (2% for logging 25 hours in study sessions)
Things we will do differently
next year
1. Broaden target audience to include
Beginning Algebra
2. Point system of grading
3. Different Math skills assessment tool
4. Start support/study groups earlier
5. Heterogeneous support/study groups
6. Teach how to make chapter summaries and
flash cards
7. Grade with pass/no pass option
OCC’s Basic Skills Initiative
Grant Information
• Email- Nicolette Jackson
– njackson@occ.cccd.edu (until May 2014)
– njacksonbrown@hotmail.com
(after May 2014)