Student Success Seminar

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Student Success Seminar

• How to succeed at ABAC

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Why are you here today?

• Purpose of the Compass test
• Strategies for success
• Action to take today

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Take Notes!

• Its important to take notes during any
  presentation.
• Start NOW!
• Circle, highlight, underline, or write notes next
  to the slides as the speaker is talking.
• Save this presentation!
• For more information visit the ABAC website at
  http//www.abac.edu.
• For more information about Student Success, visit
  http//www.abac.edu/ls/home.cfm

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The Purpose for COMPASS Placement Testing

• Our goal is to place you in the class(es) in
  which you will have the greatest success.
• The Compass test indicates your readiness for
  college-level material.

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What do the scores mean?

• If you score below the minimum score on the
  writing, reading, and/or math test, then you must
  take learning support courses.
• Learning support courses are designed to teach
  the skills needed for success in college-level
  courses.
• Success in these courses is CRITICAL to your
  success in college.
• This does not simply mean exiting the classes
  it involves LEARNING these foundational skills.

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Cut-off scores and what they mean

• Reading
• A score of 78 or above is passing.
• English
• A score of 60 or above is passing.

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Cut-off scores and what they mean

• Algebra
• If you are in a transfer program, and score a 37
  or above in Algebra, then you pass. Otherwise
  you must take both MATH 0097 and MATH 0099.
• Transfer programs are designed to prepare you to
  enter a senior institution as a junior.

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Cut-off scores and what they mean

• Pre-Algebra
• If you are in a career and technical program, and
  score a 35 or above in Pre-Algebra, then you
  pass. Otherwise you must take MATH 0090.
• Career and technical programs are designed to
  prepare you for employment immediately after
  completion of the prescribed course of study.

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This test is important!

• Your placement scores indicate what courses you
  will be able to initially take at ABAC. We want
  you to do well.
• If for any reason you do not feel you will do
  your best today, then let us know and we will
  reschedule your placement exam.

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What is Success?

• Success is having fun finding and fulfilling our
  purpose in Life.
• Dr. Jim Muncy

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The Student Success Partnership ABACs Part

• ABAC is all about supporting students.
• We are student-friendly.
• Resources are available
• My Math Lab (Web instruction software with
  immediate feedback on homework problems, videos,
  practice tests, etc)
• Academic Assistance Center (free tutoring)
• Faculty who are laboring and rooting for you to
  "rise to the challenge" of college level
  mathematics, English, and reading.
• Your Academic Advisor

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The Student Success Partnership ABACs Part

• If you require personal or career assistance, the
  Student Development Office can help _ 2nd Floor
  of the Student Center
• ABAC 1000 is a wonderful seminar-style class that
  can help you learn and practice time management,
  study skills, and life success skills!
• Learning Communities are a great method to
  develop relationships with other students who
  share similar interests.
• http//www.abac.edu/learningcommunities/

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The Student Success Partnership YOUR Part

• This isnt high school
• Attendance showing up is ½ the battle
• Active Class participation
• Study
• Manage your time
• Personal responsibility is the key. You will
  have to develop the discipline to do things you
  may not enjoy doing at least initially.
• Growth isnt a key to success, Its the door!
  Dr. Jim Muncy

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What are Learning Support Classes?

• These courses are required by the University
  System of Georgia and are designed to help you
  succeed in College-Level Courses.
• Successful completion of these courses is
  critical for you to move on to other courses
  toward degree completion.

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Learning Support Success Strategies - Math

• Those who are able to pass the MATH 0097 final
  during the first week of class may move
  immediately into MATH 0099. Ask your instructor
  day 1!
• A practice exam is available online at
  http//www.abac.edu/SM/math_portfolios.pdf

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Learning Support Success Strategies - English

• Essay preparation
• Compass preparation (grammar editing)
• WPE Writing Proficiency Exam
• Compass Exam score of 60
• Must pass both WPE and Compass to exit class.

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Learning Support Success Strategies - Reading

• READ 0099
• Compass Exam Preparation
• Academic Reading
• Early Exit Compass Exam If you are earning an A
  at midterm you may be able to exit the class
  early. Make this a goal!

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Learning Support Prerequisites?

• MOST ABAC classes have LS prerequisites. You must
  exit READ AND ENGL 099 to take many college level
  classes. Many other classes have LS Math
  prerequisites.
• Some courses that do NOT have LS prerequisites
  include PHED 1100, PHED activity, CISM 2201,
  ABAC 1000, MUSC 2080 (Concert Band), MUSC 2090
  (Concert Choir), JRNL 1100B (WPLH radio), JRNL
  1100C (The Stallion).

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Learning Support Advising and Scheduling

• You should only register for classes approved by
  their academic advisors.
• Failure to register for appropriate courses may
  result in being dropped from a class.
• You Must register for all LS classes before
  registering for any academic class.

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Learning Support Advising and Scheduling

• If you withdraw from a LS class, you will be
  withdrawn from all academic classes except PE,
  ABAC 1000 and Music.
• You have three attempts to pass each sequence of
  LS classes. The grades of F, WF and IP are
  considered attempts.
• You have three attempts for ENGL 0099, three
  attempts for READ 0099, three attempts between
  MATH 0097 and MATH 0099, and three attempts for
  MATH 0090.

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Advising and Scheduling

• Advising and Registration dates are
• Summer Semester starts May 26, 2008
• Advising and Registration Day May 22, 2008
• Welcome Days August 13 17, 2008
• Fall Semester starts Aug. 18, 2008
• Advising and Registration Days
• June 6, 13, 20, July 11, 18, August 12, 2008
• Welcome Days August 13 17, 2008

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Early Bird Gets the Worm!Or at least a better
chance at the classes you want.

• Deadline is March 1, 2008
• Requirements are
• Admissions Application (including 20 fee)
• Official high school transcripts
• Certificate of Immunization
• Placement Testing (which you are completing today)

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Welcome Days

• Required as part of new student orientation.
• Make new friends.
• Meet advisor and instructors.
• Participate in seminars designed to help you to
  be successful at ABAC.

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Financial Aid

• All changes to schedules have an impact on
  Financial Aid.
• You can lose Financial Aid if you do not pass at
  least 67 of the courses you attempt.
• Visit the Financial Aid Website at
  http//www.abac.edu/fa/.
• Scholarship Deadline is March 1.
• HOPE Scholarships are reviewed at 30 and 60
  hours. You must maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA to
  remain eligible. Those who are not eligible based
  on High School grades can regain eligibility by
  earning a 3.0 cumulative GPA at ABAC. HOPE is
  potentially worth 8,000 - 10,000 over a four
  year period!
• Ask about the HOPE Grant.

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A New Start!

• Whatever has caused you to struggle in the past,
  now is the time to "get it". Take responsibility
  to build your skills, making your classes a
  serious priority.
• Make a commitment to learn, not just pass the
  class. There are direct correlations between
  attendance, active participation, diligence in
  practice and success in college courses.

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The Academic Assistance Center

• What is the Academic Assistance Center?
• How can tutoring help?
• Who needs tutoring?
• What else is available at the AAC?
• How does it work?

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Goal Setting and Time Management

• S.M.A.R.T. Specific, Measurable, Attainable,
  Realistic, and Time-activated
• Write them down
• Develop an action plan
• I will exit READ 099 AND ENGL 099 my first
  semester. Or I will make a 3.0 or higher GPA
  this semester.

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Goal Setting and Time Management

• Sample Action plan
• I will sit at the front of my class
• I will attend ALL classes
• I will arrive at least 5 minutes early
• I will meet with a tutor the first week of class
• I will meet with each instructor in their office
  the first week of class.
• I will turn in all assignments on time
• I will develop a time management plan
• NOTE Thoughts without action fantasy

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The Bottom Line

• Personal responsibility is key.
• Do YOU want to succeed at least as much as we
  want you to succeed?
• Are you willing to grow?
• What ACTION will you take TODAY?

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What to do today

• Confirm New Student Orientation (One-Stop-Shop
  Student Center)
• Confirm Financial Aid (Student Center)
• Confirm Housing (Town Hall)
• Read this PowerPoint!
• Set goals!

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Contacts

• Dr. Donald K. Parks, Director of Student Success
  - dparks_at_abac.edu
• Ms. Kim Ascani, Academic Assistance Center -
  kascani_at_abac.edu
• Ms. Catherine Cronin, COMPASS Testing Specialist
  ccronin_at_abac.edu
• The Office telephone number is 229-391-4995.

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Please Turn Off Cell-phones.
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Are you ready?

• IF for any reason you are not ready to take this
  exam at this time, then please say so now.
• We can reschedule your exam for a time when you
  feel you will be better prepared.

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Directions for the Compass

• Review the orange sheet for the correct name,
  major and other information.
• The number in the left-hand corner is your ABAC
  ID number.
• You will be asked a series of questions at the
  beginning of the test.
• Use your ABAC ID (9180) when asked for your
  Social Security Number.
• You are testing in Tifton.
• You are taking the Placement test.

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The Test

• Take your time and do your own work.
• The test will proceed automatically through
  Reading, Writing, and Mathematics.
• When the screen says STOP, you are done.

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What to expect - Reading

• You will be given several paragraphs and several
  questions regarding the paragraphs.
• Read all of the questions, then read the
  paragraphs.
• After reading, answer the questions.
• The test can include paragraphs that become
  progressively more difficult.

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What to expect - Writing

• The test asks two types of questions
• Questions about grammar
• Questions about the passage
• Review each sentence for any sort of change
  including punctuation and word choice.

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What to expect Math

• The questions will vary in difficulty.
• The test is trying to determine what principles
  you do and do not know.

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After the test

• See Ms. Cronin when you have completed the test.
• At this point, your scores will be available.
• You may re-test ONE TIME for a fee of 25.
• If you want to re-test you must call 229-391-4995
  to schedule.

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Check your ABAC e-mail!

• This is your official communication method.
• Important information will be distributed through
  the ABAC e-mail system.
• Check it early and often.
• For instructions, please visit
  http//www.abac.edu/admissions/email/

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We will now proceed to the test.

• Relax, keep breathing and good luck!