Connecticut Coalition of English Teachers (CCET) Conversation

Preparing Underprepared Students for Success: A Collaborative Response to a Legislative Challenge

James Gentile Ken Klucznik Manchester Community College, Manchester CT

Public Higher Education In Connecticut



   

From This: University of Connecticut Four State Universities Twelve Community Colleges Charter Oak College (online)

 Each with its own administration, budget, support staff, faculty, and curriculum  Each with unique service areas (rather than curricular or vocational focuses)  CSUs and CCs with Chancellors and for CCs, President and Dean Councils

 To This: ConnSCU 12 community colleges 4 state universities (not University of Connecticut) online state university under a common Board of Regents

PA 12-40: An Act Concerning College Readiness and Completion

 [N]o public institution of higher education shall offer any remedial support, including remedial courses, that is not embedded with the corresponding entry level course. . . .

. . . except such institution may offer a student a maximum of one semester of remedial support that is not embedded. [I]f a public institution of higher education determines . . . that a student is below the skill level required for success in college level work, the public institution of higher education shall offer such student the opportunity to participate in an intensive college readiness program before the start of the next semester.

Interpretation of Law Tiered System of Instruction



In response to Public Act 12-40, the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (ConnSCU) faculty is re-designing developmental education using a tiered system of instruction with three levels as described below. College Level College-level instruction; a course numbered 100 or higher

Embedded Level College-level instruction with embedded developmental support designed for students with 12th grade skills (or close to that) who are approaching college readiness but require some remediation; college-level components must be numbered 100 or higher. Intensive Level A single semester of developmental education or an intensive readiness experience for students below the 12th grade level; if structured as a course, must be numbered below 100.

In addition, institutions have joined together in four regional groups to devise strategies to address students who demonstrate significant gaps in skills levels or are unsuccessful in an initial attempt in an intensive-level offering. Transitional Strategies Strategies for students with eighth grade skill levels or below developed by groups from colleges and universities in each geographical region of the state. http://www.ct.edu/initiatives/dev-education

Student Needs  Pre PA 12-49 (MCC) 003 (3 hours) 066 (6 hours)  093 (3 hours)  101 (college-level 3 credits)

Post PA 12-40 (MCC) One developmental course with outcomes leading to 101 (college-level 3 credits)



2012-2013 College Access Challenge Grant ConnSCU Remediation Redesign Support



   

Outcomes Created outcomes for a 6 credit developmental course Created (identical) outcomes for Composition and Composition with embedded support Proposed multiple measures for placement Exchanged ideas on embedded models through meetings and a conference

Faculty

 General Consensus  CCs reached consensus on outcomes and placement  Several CCs wanted to maintain autonomy on delivery methods due to  low-performing student populations  different philosophies (reading and writing split)  their institutions academic cultural norms and scheduling needs

Administration  Ambivalence  Approved of consensus on outcomes  Concerns over scalability    

Financial impact Enrollment impact Faculty work-load Dependence on part-time faculty

Shared Concerns

  Change in Mission  Distinct College Demographics and Student Needs  Distinct College Departmental Philosophies, Structures, and Resources  Elimination of developmental sequence  Less time to remediate significant deficiencies  Impact on prerequisites across the college—degree of student preparedness for college coursework  Scalability (Scheduling, Costs, Full-time Faculty Workload, Part-time Faculty Dependence)

Positive Outcomes

  Reflects cross-campus consensus on significant placement, curriculum, and assessment issues  Develops possibility for seamless transfer of developmental work across campuses  Emphasizes reading-writing connection  Accelerates student movement into college-level work  Provides individualized instruction / Provides reinforcement gauged to student needs  Creates an atmosphere of support and engenders confidence