Salt Lake Community College recently developed a College Preparatory Math 0001 course that prepares students for college level math.
Math 0001 will allow students to work independently through the material of Math 0900, 0920, 0950, and 0990 in one course rather than taking several classes each semester.
“The idea is to allow students to accelerate through their math and it could save time and money,” said Gary Campbell, director of the Learning Center Programs.
College Preparatory Math is divided into 12 modules which cover all the learning material that is usually taught in the entire course of Math 0900, 0920, 0950, and 0990 classes.
Students begin College Preparatory Math 1 (CPMA 1) where they complete the first four modules. Once each of the four modules is completed, students move onto CPMA 2 and CPMA 3. After the last four modules are completed, students can then register for Math 1010 the following semester.
Each module has a mastery test at the end that requires a specified passing grade. If a student does not complete all 12 modules needed in order to move forward, that student can pick up where they left off to complete the course.
At the end of the twelfth Module, students need to pass a timed comprehensive final assessment in order to finish the program.
Prerequisites and requirements
College Preparatory Math is for students who are motivated and are comfortable working at their own pace.
“I know there are students who prefer to be face to face with their teacher but there are also students who opt to register for College Preparatory Math as they are kind of in a hurry to move onto Math 1010,” said Celestina Punzalan, a College Preparatory Math teacher.
College Preparatory Math can be a review that will count as credit or audit for students who are placed into an advanced math course such as Math 1010. College Preparatory Math is also eligible for students who qualify for Financial Aid.
All students enrolled in College Preparatory Math begin CPMA 1 regardless of previous math courses or Accuplacer scores.
Students enrolled in College Preparatory Math need to take Essentials of College Study 1020 as a prerequisite or co-requisite which can also fulfill the Interdisciplinary requirement for the college.
Students are able to get help while taking this course. Tutors and instructors provide classroom and lab support. Students are not allowed to use their own laptops in the classroom or on tests but personal laptops can be used at home for homework.
SLCC is not the only college to adopt this type of program. According to the National Center for Academic Transformation, 30 institutions have designed a new approach to introductory courses with high student enrollment. Three of which are Iowa State University, Northern Arizona University, and Riverside Community College.
Campbell has been running College Preparatory Math since spring semester 2011. Fall semester 2012 is the first semester to have all three CPMA courses within the program.
Currently, College Preparatory Math is offered at Taylorsville Redwood Campus, Jordan Campus, and South City Campus.
