Taking Sinclair’s placement exam and then testing into pre-college courses can be a hindrance for students because it prolongs their goals of graduating or attaining a workforce credential.
Through the Developmental Education Initiative (DEI), Sinclair offers three alternatives to help students accelerate their education and become college-ready. These courses include the Math Academy, Accelerated English and Boot Camps.
“We are trying to reduce or eliminate the need for developmental education,” said Kathleen Cleary, project director for Completion by Design. “We want to help students accelerate their education as quickly as possible, so that they can be prepared for college level courses.”
The Math Academy course allows students to work at their own pace, with one-on-one instruction.
Math Academy Coordinator Valerie Cope said that the class is ideal for students who get frustrated by sitting through lecture-based classes that cover material they already know, when they need more help with material they struggle with.
“With the Math Academy, students are able to work through the course at their own pace using one module at a time,” Cope said. “They can pretest out of a module if they receive a grade of 80 percent or higher. But the course allows students the opportunity to keep moving forward and not delay their education.”
Students in the course have to be motived and work hard. The students can save time and money by fulfilling two course requirements in one term, Cleary said.
Another course offered with the goal of preparing students to be college-ready is the Accelerated English Course.
The Accelerated English Course allows students who place just below college-level writing on the placement exam the opportunity for an intensive review of basic writing skills that is provided alongside the college-level writing class, said DEI Academic Advisor Amy Hartman.
“Students can take DEV 110 along with English 111,” Hartman said. “The student gets a leg up because they can complete two classes at one time in a small class setting.”
For students who need a quick refresher course, the Boot Camps are offered to help students brush up on skills they may have forgotten, Hartman said.
Students can complete math, English or reading courses during the Boot Camps. The Boot Camps will be offered during spring break from March 26 – 30. Each course is one week for three hours a day.
“These alternatives help students complete their developmental classes quickly and graduate sooner. It is all about helping students build the skills they need to be successful as quickly as possible,” Cleary said.
The Developmental Education Initiative is made possible by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The goal of the Foundation is to dramatically increase graduation rates, according to the Foundation website.
“We know that to increase our graduation rates, one of the first things that we need to do is increase success in developmental education,” Cleary said. “We want to boost students to get them to college but do it in a way that is more supportive of their long term success.”
For more information contact Amy Hartman at 512-4749.