CRC Press Breaking Barriers: Student Success in Community College Mathematics

The fact college students often struggle in mathematics is not new. They exhibit a great deal of anxiety, dislike, and overall disinterest. Quantitative data displaying abysmal student success rates are widely available and shared. This book explores the complexity surrounding the issue of student difficulties in community college math. Though much quantitative research focuses on the faculty experiences and perspectives regarding methods and practices, the author puts the focus on students’ experiences. The book presents the results of a study focused on students who struggled in mathematics. Though their experiences varied, they all entered community college with a great deal of disgust and anxiety toward mathematics courses and requirements. These impressions and attitudes create barriers to success. However, all the students eventually succeeded in fulfilling their college-level mathematics requirement. The author presents these students’ experiences prior to entering community college, what led to both success and failure in their math courses, and the common themes leading to success and failure. Through these student responses, the author assists readers in gaining a better understanding of the community college student who struggles in math and how to break students’ community college math barriers to success. TABLE OF CONTENTSPreface1. Math is a Four-Letter Word 2. The Framework for Developmental and Introductory College-Level Math3.The Study, Settings, and the Participants4. Prior Experiences in Math5. Attempting Math and Community College6. Navigating the First Developmental Math Course7. Math Pathways and Completing Developmental Math 8. The End of the Rainbow9 I Need More Math…Now What?10. Lessons Learned in the AftermathAppendix A: Analyzing the Results and Ensuring AccuracyAppendix B: Pre-Algebra and Introduction to Algebra Course ContentAppendix C: Stand-Alone Quantway 1 and Statway 1 Course ContentAppendix D: Elementary Algebra (all half semester) ContentAppendix E: Intermediate Algebra ContentAppendix F: Lead Questions for Student ParticipantsAppendix G: Lead Questions for the Lester Community College FacultyIndexBIOGRAPHYWith 21 years of experience in mathematics education and 17 years as a community college math professor, the author has instructed courses from developmental math through calculus. He has served as Chair of the Developmental Math Department and Assistant Chair of the Mathematics Department at Sinclair College, Dayton, Ohio. He received the Jon and Suanne Roueche Award for Teaching Excellence and the Ohio Magazine Excellence in Education Award.His published research focuses on faculty viewpoints regarding pedagogical practices as well as conceptual research concentrating on developmental math. His article, "Acceleration and Compression in Developmental Math: Faculty Viewpoints," was awarded Article of the Year by the Journal of Developmental Education. About the Author Brian Cafarella, Ph.D. is a mathematics professor at Sinclair Community College in Dayton, Ohio. He has taught a variety of courses ranging from developmental math through pre-calculus. Brian is a past recipient of the Roueche Award for teaching excellence. He is also a past recipient of the Ohio Magazine Award for excellence in education. Brian has published in several peer-reviewed journals. His articles have focused on implementing best practices in developmental math and various math pathways for community college students. Additionally, Brian was the recipient of the Article of the Year Award for his article, "Acceleration and Compression in Developmental Mathematics: Faculty Viewpoints" in the Journal of Developmental Education.