The department chairman recommends establishing a mandatory remedial math tutorial lab to supplement remedial math courses. The one-credit lab would assess students' math skills and require them to complete individualized worksheets covering topics from whole numbers to basic algebra. It would be managed by the chairman and two lab assistants in a partitioned classroom with workstations, textbooks, and computers. Students would attend at least one hour per week and their lab grade would account for 25% of their final remedial math grade. The goal is to better prepare underprepared students for precalculus and higher math courses.

1. MEMO
COLLEGE OF NATURAL SCIENCE
Department of Mathematics
DATE: May 18, 2012
TO: Mr. George Gbakolay
Dean of the College of Natural Science
FROM: Mr. Nathan Penn
Chairman of the Department of Mathematics
SUBJECT: Recommendation for Remedial Math Tutorial Lab
IT IS NECESSARY FOR THE MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT TO
ESTABLISH A MANDATORY TUTORIAL LAB. [The one (1) credit lab
will supplement the three (3) credit classroom lecture.]
High schools are graduating students with inadequate backgrounds in basic
math.
Some of these students are accepted into Cuttington University, although
they score far below the norm on the entrance examination.
After a semester at Cuttington University,assigned to overcrowded lecture-
only remedial classrooms, poorly performing students are passed on to
precalculus (101) and higher math courses.
Remedial math carries four credits. One of those credits is designed for a
mandatory math lab.
Studentworksheets in the tutorial lab will be designed based on individualized
lesson plans. A complete course of worksheets, developed from basic math and
pre-algebra, will be provided: a) the student’s math skills will be assessed;b) then
each student will be required to complete specific worksheets (taking them “from
where they are to where precalculus needs them to be” as a prerequisite).

2. AN OUTLINE OF THE COMPLETE COURSE OF WORKSHEETS
First, a mathematics pretest will help decide which individual skills need to be
worked on the most. Then, a bank of worksheets will be available to cover the
following topics:
1. Whole Numbers - a review of whole numbers and basic computational
skills (four basic operations); begin to work problems; practice estimation
skills after reviewing how to round numbers.
2. Using a Calculator - learn how to use a calculator; use calculator to solve
addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division whole number problems.
On later worksheets, use the same calculator for decimal, percent, and
fraction problems.
3. Problem Solving - practice problem solving strategies, mental math
strategies, and estimation strategies. These strategies will help the student
do much more with numbers than simply calculate.
4. Decimals - practice all the necessary computational skills with decimals.
Solve many word problems involving money that require calculations with
decimal numbers.
5. Fractions - practice the four basic operations with fractions and mixed
numbers; including plenty of practice solving word problems.
6. Ratios and Proportions - besides plenty of problem-solving practice,
students will also see and use the important relationships among fractions
and decimals.
7. Percent - practice with what percent means, by changing decimals or
fractions to percent. Included are practice problems for use with the
calculator.
8. Working with Data - practice the application of concepts, such as, mean,
median, mode, range, bar graphs, line graphs, circle graphs, and probability.
9. Basic Algebra - practice with exponents, square roots, and order of
operations. Solve equations, use formulas, and graph points on a coordinate
plane.
10.Measurement and Geometry - practice using the standard metric units of
measurement. Work with the basic definitions of geometry. Practice
finding the perimeter, circumference, area, and volume of basic geometric
figures.
This Remedial Math Lab (010-L) will give the individual student “good luck” with
future studies. This lab practice will exercise and discipline the student’s mind.

3. MANAGEMENT OF THE REMEDIAL LAB ROOM M20
The Chairman of the Mathematics Department will be responsible for the
over-all supervision of the Math Lab and the two Lab Assistants (LAs). The
Chairman will monitor operations of the Lab and perform evaluations of the
performance of the LAs.
Room M20 will remain a partitioned room with one LA responsible for
tutoring students in the completion of worksheets on one side. The
blackboard will be available for ease in assisting up to 25 students in their
individual worksheets.
The other side of the partition will have 20 student desks and 5 computer
tables. The other LA will monitor and assist students in their independent
work. Students will be able to use the lab’s 10 textbooks and other basic math
books to research assignments. The 5 computers will be designated for on-line
math skill development applications only.
The LAs must be juniors or seniors with a strong background in math
education. LAs will be responsible for each student signing-in, signing-out,
and the appropriate use of Lab facilities. LAs will receive reduced tuition
billing (teaching assistantships).
The student must attend the lab at least one hour per week. When formal lab
is not in session, students are allowed to work in the lab -- books, computers,
blackboards, etc. -- as long as supervision is available.
The Chairman and the LAs will collaborate to decide each student’s lab
grade, which will account for 25% of the final grade for Remedial Math 010.
Final lab grade-sheets must bear the Chairman’s signature.