Updates after teaching the pathways course Math Lit for 5 years

1. Math Lit & Pathways
5 Years Later
Kathleen Almy
Rock Valley College

2. pathway
noun | path·way | ˈpath-ˌwā, ˈpäth-
Developmental math: a course other than traditional
algebra that is designed to prepare students for
non-STEM college mathematics

3. Math Lit:
A Pathways Option
In one semester and 3 – 6 credits, Math Literacy for
College Students gives a student at the beginning
algebra level the mathematical maturity to be
successful in statistics, liberal arts math, or
intermediate algebra.

4. Developmental
Pathways …
 include Math Literacy for College Students,
Quantway, Statway, and the New Mathways
Project.
 create alternative routes to or through college-level
math courses, especially non-STEM courses.
 support state mandates to change dev ed in a
sensible way.
 look forward to college needs instead of backward
to high school deficiencies.
 emphasize critical thinking and problem solving
with authentic problems and contextualized
learning.

5. Pathways Nationally
5 years ago
 Pockets of use
 Intermediate algebra was
the gateway course in
most states
 Uniform implementation
Now
 Courses being developed or
in use in almost all states
 Policy changes
 AMATYC’s Intermediate
algebra position statement
 States change dev math policy
(e.g., IL, CA, CO, FL)
 Course pedagogy is varied
 Use of group work varies
 All major publishers have
texts

6. Pathways: Ahead of their time
• In 2009, we didn't know dev math landscape was going
to be turned upside down in coming years.
• Pathways are a sound way to accelerate dev ed while
actually doing something different.
• Pathways are cheap unlike emporiums redesigns
• Pathways complement co-reqs
• Pathways for lower students
• Co-reqs for bubble students

7. Lessons Learned

8. Experience is simply the name we give
our mistakes.
-Oscar Wilde

9. Content
 More algebra topics may be needed for buy-in and/or outcome course
prep
 Factoring, quadratic formula, function notation, etc.
 Techniques for solving problems should be taught with content
 When to use algebra, not just how
 A full course prerequisite is not necessarily needed
 If you can’t get to everything, the course can still be successful
Lesson learned: Algebra matters but it’s not everything

10. Content
 Contextual problems are effective…
 Motivating to students which increases engagement
 Improves understanding and retention
 Prepares students for other courses
 Improves reading skills
 Desensitizes students to word problems
 …when done correctly
 Use novel and creative problems
 Use problems, not just exercises
 Provide background info for new contexts
 Spiral content, not contexts
Lesson learned: Context matters

11. Focus Problems
Need multiple problem options as course continues to
be taught
Students need guidance with writing focus problem
solutions
Lesson learned: Students can solve open-ended problems

12. Instruction & Delivery
Pedagogy matters, not just content
 Address how to teach as much as what to teach
Students need more than just activities
 Worked out examples and additional exposition
Lesson learned: Change enough but not everything

13. Instruction & Delivery
Content is suitable for groups, direct instruction, or both
Provide instructors teaching support but don’t dictate
 Instructor guide about general teaching topics
Course can be taught face-to-face, hybrid, or online
Lesson learned: Teachers need flexibility &
students want options

14. Instruction & Delivery
Lesson learned: Support instructors & students
Use a standard section setup
Subheads on section titles
Objectives as instructor notes at beginning of section
Guiding questions for students as they begin a section

15. Group Work
Use groups when students need support for problem
solving
 Group quizzes
 Focus problems
Problems have to be hard enough for students to work
together
 Opening and closing problems have little to no scaffolding
Lesson learned: More than toddler play

16. Group Work
Participation and/or attendance grade
Complete focus problem individually if absent too often
Lesson learned: Students must be held accountable

17. Technology
Use Excel when it makes sense, not just to use it
Use online homework system for skills and more
Lesson learned: Use technology sensibly

18. Assessment & Grading
Lesson learned: Mix old ideas with new ones
Traditional quizzes and tests are helpful and useful
Crazy grading schemes are unnecessary
Back up your philosophy with your grading
Must grade paper homework to get students to do it

19. Pathways: More than lipstick on a pig
• A redesign option that actually works
• Students getting through dev math faster
• Students are better prepared for college-level courses
• Persistence
• Learn how to learn
• Increased student motivation, hope, confidence, and
college readiness
• Data shows their success

20. Rock Valley College Outcomes
• Overall Math Lit pass rate: 59% (326/550)
• Results are comparable to other pathways projects
– Quantway 1: 56%
– New Mathways Project Foundations: 65%
NOTES:
• Data for Math Lit is from F11-F15
• Math Lit in IL is 6 credit hours compared to 4 credit hours nationally

21. One and Done
NOTES:
• Data for Beg. Alg. Is from F09-F15; Data from F11-F15
• No statistically significant differences
• Majority of students complete Math Lit & next course in one year
• Results in CL courses are comparable or better than other pathways projects
• 67% for Quantway>Stats or Gen ed
• 49% for Statway CC students
• 30% for NMP>Stats
Prior Course
Beginning
Algebra
Math Lit
Outcome
Course
Intermediate Algebra 62% (869/1403) 69% (45/65)
Statistics 59% (152/258) 51% (38/75)
Gen ed math 83% (251/301) 84% (119/142)

22. Pathways: Far-reaching effects
• Pathways are an effective option for all dev math
students, not just non-STEM ones
• Can drop beginning algebra altogether
• Pathways can be used as 4th year high school courses

23. Prealgebra
Math Lit
Intermediate
Algebra
STEM &
non-STEM
College
Level Math
Non-STEM
College
Level Math
(Statistics, Liberal
Arts Math)
Beginning
Algebra
Implementation options:
augment traditional sequence

24. Prealgebra Math Lit
Intermediate
Algebra*
STEM &
non-STEM
College
Level
Math
Non-STEM
College
Level Math
(Statistics, Liberal
Arts Math)
Implementation options:
replace beginning algebra
*Number of sections proportionate to
number of STEM majors

25. Implementation Ideas:
4th year high school course
Non-STEM
College
Level Math
Algebra 1 Geometry Algebra 2 Math Lit
Prealgebra Algebra 1Basic Math
Prealgebra Algebra 1 Geometry Math Lit
Math Lit

26. Implementation
Lesson learned: Plan ahead
 Advising, advertising, and number of sections matter
 Choose teachers who buy in teach the course
 Teachers can sabotage it if they don't buy in
 Plan for data collection
 May need to give in on some traditional topics to get pilots going
 Tons of training isn't needed.
 Faculty need to understand philosophy and new approach and
be provided support as they work
 Must commit to the approach in the course – not just here and
there

27. Final thoughts on pathways
• Impacted other courses
• Re-energized teaching
• See growth in all students no matter their final grade
• Developmental students can do more than one might think

28. kathleenalmy@gmail.com
http://almydoesmath.blogspot.com
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