Remedial revision

CLEVELAND, Tenn. -- Since leading the state in a redesign of a remedial math curriculum, Cleveland State Community College wants to apply the lessons of its math overhaul to other areas of remedial study, such as reading and writing.

Officials said they have to make remedial education better and cheaper if they are going to accommodate the flood of students who can no longer take development classes at four-year schools.

"This plan will free up classroom space," said Cleveland State President Carl Hite. "It allows us to offer more sections at a lower cost."

Cleveland State began revamping its remedial math curriculum three years ago. The idea was to replace lecture-style math classes with computer math labs.

"Unfortunately, students used to come to campus to watch the teachers work," said Jerry Faulkner, vice president for academic affairs. "This passive approach doesn't work."

Officials at Cleveland State are looking into changing other remedial classes in writing and reading and nonremedial programs such as psychology into interactive labs with tutors.

"I think it has applications for almost every discipline," Dr. Hite said.

The math revamp saved money and improved academic performance, Dr. Faulkner said. The number of students passing developmental math increased 29 percent, and the number of students exiting the remedial program increased by 32 percent.

The college was able to stop using eight adjunct instructors and saved more than $50,000 a year, documents show.

These savings are essential since the community college is losing 20 percent of its state appropriations, or $2 million, because of falling state tax revenue.

The revamped remedial math classes allow students to work through the curriculum at their own pace and master each section before moving on to the next.

Classes include two hours of computer lab per week with math instructors on hand to help if students get stuck, Dr. Faulkner said. The third class hour is a group meeting to discuss problems and concepts with a teacher.

Students at Cleveland State say the new math program has helped them do well in math for the first time.

Tiffany Tate, who was required to take a remedial intermediate algebra class after entering Cleveland State to study education, said she likes the individual instruction she gets in the math lab.

"It allows you to go at your own pace. I am making A's right now," she said. "In high school I struggled in math."