Increasing Student Success in College Algebra ACC Presentation
1. Increasing Student Success
in College Algebra
Anthony Wilkinson, Ed.S.
Lead Faculty, Mathematics
Arkansas State University Mid-South
2. Objective
To share how the use of SLA contracts and SLA passes help students succeed
in College Algebra.
3. The Problem
• Nationwide, the FWD (fail-withdrawal-D grade) rates have been in the range
of 40% to 60%.
• Each year over 1 million students enroll in College Algebra and at least half a
million fail the course.
4. Success Rates in College Algebra at ASU Mid-South from 2006 - 2011
58.5%
51.0%
63.7%
66.7%
61.8%
56.9%
63.0%
49.4%
48.0%
52.9%
0.0%
10.0%
20.0%
30.0%
40.0%
50.0%
60.0%
70.0%
80.0%
FALL 2006 SPRING 2007 FALL 2007 SPRING 2008 FALL 2008 SPRING 2009 FALL 2009 SPRING 2010 FALL 2010 SPRING 2011
5. Average Success Rate in College Algebra by
Semester
Fall 2006 58.5% Spring 2007 51.0%
Fall 2007 63.7% Spring 2008 66.7%
Fall 2008 61.8% Spring 2009 56.9%
Fall 2009 63.0% Spring 2010 49.4%
Fall 2010 48.0% Spring 2011 52.9%
Fall 2011 56.8% Average 55.4%
Average 58.6%
6. Solution
Because of the low success rates and the students’ reluctance of using the
tutorial services as a means of getting the needed help, the math department
along with staff under the PBI (Predominantly Black Institutions) grant have
decided to implement SLA sessions as a supplement to the instruction
provided by the regular instructor.
7. Structured Learning Assistance
Structured Learning Assistance (SLA) is an academic support program
designed to help students successfully complete their classwork, receive extra
help on difficult concepts, participate in test preparation prior to exams, engage
in group work to strengthen ideas, make connections between class content and
everyday life, as well as adopt learning and study skills related to academic
success.
8. Outcomes since Spring 2012 – Overall
0.0%
10.0%
20.0%
30.0%
40.0%
50.0%
60.0%
70.0%
80.0%
Spring 2012 Fall 2012 Spring 2013 Fall 2013 Spring 2014
73.1%
71.0%
65.0%
70.4%
60.9%
9. Outcomes since Spring 2012 – with SLA
0.0%
10.0%
20.0%
30.0%
40.0%
50.0%
60.0%
70.0%
Spring 2012 Fall 2012 Spring 2013 Fall 2013 Spring 2014
61.6%
53.4% 56.6%
39.5%
46.3%
10. How is SLA handled in College Algebra?
SLA Passes and Incentives are used to encourage students to succeed in
College Algebra. At the beginning of each semester, students in SLA
supported sections are required to sign a contract stating that they understand
the purpose of SLA as well as the requirements and expectations of SLA.
11.
12. SLA Passes
Students’ grades are checked by the SLA facilitator after each exam to determine eligibility.
If a student maintains an overall grade of 90% or higher, then he or she will receive a SLA pass
exempting him from attending SLA workshops for a specified period of time.
Students are expected to return to SLA on the date specified on the SLA pass.
Students are recommended to continue attending SLA workshops even if they are exempt
from attending.
14. SLA Incentives
SLA incentives are decided by the individual instructor and are indicated on the student’s SLA
contract. One example would be:
Students may be exempt from the final exam if they meet ALL of the following requirements:
Must have an overall average of 90% or better.
Must be current on ALL assignments.
Miss no more than 2 SLA sessions.
Miss no more than one week of class in the regular College Algebra class.
15. Outcomes – Fall 2013 to Spring 2015 (with SLA)
0.0%
10.0%
20.0%
30.0%
40.0%
50.0%
60.0%
Fall 2013 Spring 2014 Fall 2014 Spring 2015
39.5%
46.3%
56.6% 52.0%
16. Outcomes – Fall 2013 to Spring 2015 (Overall)
0.0%
10.0%
20.0%
30.0%
40.0%
50.0%
60.0%
70.0%
80.0%
Fall 2013 Spring 2014 Fall 2014 Spring 2015
70.4%
60.9%
79.0%
63.6%
17. What are we doing for all sections of College
Algebra?
• For the SLA supported College Algebra sections, we are continuing with the
SLA contracts where students will receive SLA passes if their average after
each test is at least 90% and each instructor will decide upon an incentive for
students who meet all of the requirements stated in the contract.
• For non-supported SLA College Algebra classes, students who have an
overall average of at least 90% and miss no more than 2 weeks of class will
be exempt from taking the final exam.
