Fast Track – Using Intensive Math Review Courses to Improve

Placement

Bill Coe, Montgomery College

william.coe@montgomerycollege.edu

Presentation Outline

What is Fast Track?About Montgomery CollegeHistory of Fast TrackObjectives of the CourseCourse StructureResults to DateAdvertisingReplication of Fast TrackHow to Start a Fast Track-Like ProgramConclusions

What is Fast Track?

Two fast paced intensive review courses Basic Fast Track covers Prealgebra and

Elementary Algebra Advanced Fast Track covers Elementary

Algebra and Intermediate Algebra

About Montgomery College

Largest Community College in Maryland (over 26,000 credit students on three campuses)

Diverse student population (33% international, 175 countries represented)

History of Fast Track at MC

Fast Track Course Objectives

Save time (one or two semesters)Save money Improve placement of studentsRetention

Our Target Population

Graduating high school seniorsAdults returning to school after long

absences

Fast Track Course Structure

Two weeks, twenty hours for each courseBasic Fast Track

7 hours Prealgebra 11 hours Elementary Algebra 2 hours testing and counseling

Advanced Fast Track 10 hours Elementary Algebra 8 hours Intermediate Algebra 2 hours testing and counseling

Fast Track Results to DateSummary by placement level

Out of 1541 students…. Down one level: 26 students (1.7 %) Same level: 376 students (24.4%) Up one level: 558 students (36.2%) Up two levels: 241 students (15. 6%) Undetermined: 340 students (22.1%)

More Fast Track Results

Of those students who were officially enrolled in the recommended course in the semester following enrollment in Fast Track, and passed with a C or better:

FT Students Non FT Students Prealgebra: 60% 48% Elem Alg: 55% 44% Interm Alg: 61% 54% CLM: 67% 67%

Still More ResultsComparison of Fast Track students to non

FT students by grade (A or B):

FT Students Non FT Students

Prealgebra 74% 69%

Elementary Algebra 62% 55%

Intermediate Algebra 69% 59%

College Level Math 73% 60%

…and Still More ResultsRetention Rates of Fast Track students to

non FT students:55% of FT students complete a CLM

class within 2 years of successfully completing the Elementary Algebra portion of Fast Track or Advanced Fast Track.

41% of non FT students complete a CLM class within 2 years of completing Elementary Algebra.

Advertising Fast Track

Counselors and faculty Prep Talk (newsletter to high school seniors) Continuing Education office Credit and non credit schedules of classes Direct Mail Flyers Brochures Web page

(montgomerycollege.edu/Departments/FastTrack.html)

Replication Locations of Fast Track(currently in use)

Central Piedmont CC, Charlotte, NCUniversity of Alaska FairbanksRiverside CC, Riverside, CaliforniaMadison Area Technical College, Madison,

WIMountain Empire CC, Big Stone Gap, VA

Results at CPCC (two years)

CPCC: Over 400 students have taken FT 71% passed next class versus 50% for non FT students Courses are 15 hrs each for Prealg, Elem Alg, and Int Alg. Required enrollment in following semester Courses offered in January, May, and August

Results at UAF (one year)

Only 41 students in first year (small school of 10,000 students at 6 campuses with FT offered at only the Tanana Valley and Fairbanks campuses so far)

86% passed next class versus 50% non FT students Courses offered in January, May, and August 24% advanced one level (vice MC experience of 67%) Now offered as a 1 credit course

Wildlife You May Encounter on the University of Alaska Fairbanks Campus

Photo by Todd Paris, UAF Marketing and Communications

A Normal Winter Day at the University of Alaska Fairbanks

Photo by Todd Paris, UAF Marketing and Communications

How to Start a FT-like Program Determine what courses it should cover Determine if a math class will be required in following semester Offer through Continuing Education? Talk to a number of schools about their start up experiences Determine the number of classroom hours Develop course materials Make a presentation to your counselors Advise all math faculty of the plan Develop a brochure for interested students Develop a flyer

Start Up Contacts

Mountain Empire CC: Sylvia Brown sbrown@me.vccs.edu

Suzanne Williams – suzanne.williams@cpcc.eduRock Valley College: Kathleen Almy

kalmy@ednet.rvc.il.usDebbie Moses – ffdmm@uaf.eduMadison Area Technical College: Judy Jones

jjones@matcmadison.eduStanly CC: Nancy Joines joinesnh@stanly.edu

Conclusions

Better PlacementBetter GradesImproved Retention