CURRICULAR INNOVATION STUDENT PROGRESSION BEYOND BASIC SKILLS

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CURRICULAR INNOVATION - STUDENT PROGRESSION
BEYOND BASIC SKILLS

• Sierra Colleges Individualized Learning Program
  (ILP) for Algebra
• Riverside Community Colleges Community for
  Academic Progress (CAP) Program

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Individualized Learning Program (ILP) For Algebra

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Individualized Learning Program (ILP) For Algebra

• Jill Rafael
• Faculty Coordinator
• jrafael_at_sierracollege.edu
• James Razavi
• Instructional Assistant
• jrazavi_at_sierracollege.edu

• Math and Technology Building

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Consider the following questions

• What are the biggest challenges facing math
  students?
• Why do students fail at math?
• Share your thoughts with the people around you.
• Share your thoughts with the group.

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Individualized Learning Program (ILP)

• As we show you how the ILP works, please keep in
  mind the following question
• How Can I Use This?
• Look for ideas that you could adopt at your
  institution.

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Sierra College Individualized Learning Program
for Algebra

• The ILP was established in 1991 from a one-year
  grant procured by one of our math faculty
  members.
• The goals were to minimize math anxiety and test
  anxiety, to implement a mastery learning
  philosophy, and to provide a helpful teacher and
  extra resources.

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ILP Target Audience

• high risk and math anxious students
• Students who have failed a math class previously
• Re-entry students
• Students with learning disabilities or physical
  disabilities
• Students wanting extra resources or support
• Students who would like to complete their Algebra
  courses in less time or in longer than one
  semester
• Many students are referred to the program by
  counselors or by other students. Others find
  their way into ILP classes on their own.

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Scope of ILP at Sierra College

• Five sections of ILP Algebra I and II are offered
  in Spring and Fall sessions, one section of each
  in the summer.
• Most other sections of Algebra I and II are
  traditional lecture format (about 30 sections of
  each in spring and fall) with a few
  computer-mediated and online sections as well.

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What aspects are the same as a traditional
algebra class format?

• Scheduled classroom lectures with instructor
• Curriculum and standards (Title V)
• Textbook

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One of our Classrooms
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What is different about ILP Program Level

• 5 units instead of 4
• Faculty Coordinator (1 unit release time)
• Highly structured consistent course materials to
  meet Title V curriculum guidelines ILP numbers

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What is different about ILP Student Resources

• Open Tutoring Lab staffed with two full-time IAs
  and student tutors
• Sense of Community
• Resources to borrow videos, calculators, graph
  paper, textbooks, pencils . . .

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Our ILP Open Tutoring Lab
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What is different about ILP Homework and Testing

• Completed homework required to take test
• Test accommodations location, no time limit, in
  some cases split test
• Date of test flexible
• Mastery Learning
• Keeping on top of students

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What is different about ILP Attendance and
Pacing

• Self-pacing available - Incomplete grade, with
  oversight
• Positive Attendance Daily Census class (using
  Accutrack)
• Open entry/open exit
• Flexible attendance between class and lab

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Student success is our goal!

• The proof is in the numbers. . .

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Student Comments

• Without the ILP program I would not be graduating
  this month. Thank you so much. This program is
  very needed.
• ILP is a success it saved me and made math
  manageable/ Need more ILP offered after algebra
  would be great for College Algebra and Stats.

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• It helped tremendously to have the ILP lab
  available to help me whenever I need specific
  attention and questions answered
• I have been successful in ILP in Math D because
  the class meets everyday, the lab is very
  helpful, and the teacher Jill R is very patient
  and an excellent teacher.
• ILP has been wonderful. It has also been nice to
  have study guides and to be able to retake tests.
  The tutors and staff have been very helpful and
  supportive.

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Cost versus Benefits

• Cost per successful student
• Other costs lab space, ??
• Many benefits have been measured.
• Other benefits difficult to measure (college
  persistence, sense of community, confidence in
  math and college abilities, attitude towards
  college, etc.)

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Conclusion

• We are doing well. However there is always room
  for improvement.
• Things we need to work on
• Improve tutor training
• More feedback from students (solicit it and
  implement changes based on it on a regular basis)
• Spread the word even more
• Capture more misplaced students between weeks 2
  and 6
• Grow program, increase funding?

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Consider the questions

• Do you see potential? 
• Could you modify to fit your college? 
• What could you adopt?

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Contact Information

• James Razavi 916-789-2774 jrazavi_at_sierracollege.ed
  u
• Jill Rafael 916-781-7178 jrafael_at_sierracollege.edu
  
• http//math.sierracollege.edu/Staff/I L
  P/index.htm