Reaching out to ALL DRE Students

Joyce BahhouthBladen Community College

Points that Will Be Covered• Technology as a major threat and impediment to many non-

traditional students• Nourishing students' self-confidence • Advising students and following up on their performance• Working on their technology skills increases their motivation to learn and

write better• Providing students a chance to preview upcoming materials and brush up on

basics• Giving workshops that remedy weaknesses

• Increase retention rates

DRE Classes Today

Multiple Measures

NCDAP

Very Few Students in DRE 096/DRE 097

Who Are Our DRE Students?• High School Graduates (tech savvy)• Non-traditional students (some have fear of technology)• Summer 2014: High drop-out rate due mainly to students’ failure to

use technology (transitioned to DRE 096/097 in spring 2014, and DRE 096/097/098 in the summer)• Hybrid DRE that depended heavily on the online component• Online DRE 098

• Students’ lack of readiness to take classes online• First indicator is students’ scores on placement tests

Methods of Boosting Students’ Self-Confidence

College

Advising

Advising• Students with very poor test scores (i.e. pre-developmental) go to one

advisor.• Advisor follows up on student performance with all concerned

instructors.• More tutoring and instructor attention is given. • Students who have major disabilities tend to drop out the first semester;

other students hang on longer.• Advisors are asked to check students’ grades prior to registering them in

other courses.• Main reason for dropout is personal.

For Students to Be Successful

Nurture Basic Skills

Nurture Independent Learning

Years Past versus the Present• In the past, the majority of the students were placed in DRE 096 or

ENG 070.• In fall 2015, 10 students took DRE 096 (either morning or night

classes).• Case of an ENG 111 student who has been through ENG 070, ENG

080, and ENG 090.

Pre-Developmental Last Fall and this FallFall 2014• 30 students• Majority weak in math and

English • Success rate: 80%• Retention rate: 57% (by May) 35% (by Aug.)

Fall 2015• 12 students• Majority weak in math

• Success rate: 66%

DRE 096/DRE 097

Levels of Ease with Technology Limited Time

Tech Non-TechPreDRE 096DRE 097

8 Weeks

Levels of Proficiency

Technology

Plan A

OST 131OST 137

Plan B

CIS 110 Pl

an C

Instructor Support

Instructor Support• First Week in DRE, DMS, and CIS

• Focus on operating the computer (Some differences between day and night students)

• Instructors’ patience and nurture• Usually with pre-developmental students:

• One-on-one tutoring on how to operate the computer (DRE, Math & CIS instructors)• Some success stories

• Use the computer as a sandbox• Erase or correct errors without leaving any trace• Check grammar and spelling• Enjoy writing more

Findings

Accomplishment

Self-Confidence

Needs

Expectations

Accomplishment

Self-Confidence

Needs

Expectations

Accomplishment

Self-Confidence

Needs

Expectations

Stacking DRE 096/097: Classroom Set-Up

General LectureClass-Level Group work

Individualized Modules

Stacking DRE 096 and DRE 097: Advantages• Meeting Students’ Needs One on One

• Some DRE 096 are quick and can move fast.• Some DRE 097 lack basic grammar skills.

• Allowing Students to Move at Their Own Pace• Some students need more practice at the sentence level.• Some students need more practice with reading comprehension.

• Giving DRE 096 students a preview of what will be expected of them in DRE 097• Giving DRE 097 students a chance to revisit concepts they may still be rusty

on

Success Rate• Started stacking classes in the summer of 2015• One student (out of four) tested out of DRE 098 and went straight to

ENG 111. Two other students could have tested out.• In the fall, all students passed.

DRE 097/098: A New Experience• Started Oct. 14• Different books• Few DRE 097• Quality of DRE 097 students

Concerns for ENG 111 and College Courses

Multiple Measures NCDAP

Fast Paced DRE Courses

Success in College Courses

Problems Encountered

No Writing Center

• LEC• Upswing• Launchpad Solo for

Readers and Writers

Lack of Student

Motivation

• The Ink Quill• Student –Teacher

Interaction

No Learning Communitie

s• Workshops

Workshops on Grammar and WritingCommon Problem

Areas

• Fragments• Run-On• Subject-Verb

Agreement• Pronoun Antecedents

Invite Classes or Meet Class

Needs

• Summary• APA• MLA

Create Links in Classes

• General use• Revising papers

Hope to Achieve

Addressing Needs

Create Learning

Communities

Awareness among

Students,Faculty

Members,Administration

Create Independent

Learners

ConclusionIt is very unfortunate that we have to teach some students to read to understand at college level. It is unfortunate that some students have never been asked to read a textbook to understand a concept.

We are very fortunate to have faculty members who care and devote a lot of time to bridge a gap that should never have existed in the first place.