Developmental Mathematics

Developmental Education at Eastern Kentucky University

The Developmental Education Program at Eastern Kentucky University helps students achieve their maximum potential and enhances their chances for academic success by providing opportunities for skill development through courses and programs designed to improve basic skills in writing, reading, and mathematics. Courses in the Developmental Program include ENG 090 (Basic Writing), ENG 095 (Developmental Composition), ENR 090 (Developmental Reading I), ENR 095 (Developmental Reading II), MAT 090 (Prealgebra), and MAT 095 (Developmental Algebra I). These courses are offered through the Department of English and Theatre and the Department of Mathematics and Statistics.

The University measures basic proficiencies in writing, reading, and mathematics by student performance on the ACT, SAT and EKU placement tests. Placement in, and successful completion of, these courses is required of students who do not demonstrate proficiency in the basic skill areas. Students taking developmental classes receive institutional credit for the courses. Credit hours earned in developmental courses do not apply toward graduation, but they do count toward the enrollment status for such purposes as financial aid eligibility and full-time student status.

The mathematics section of the ACT is used to determine placement in developmental mathematics courses. The following guidelines have been established:

ACT Mathematics score 01-15—placement in MAT 090
ACT Mathematics score 16-17—placement in MAT 095
ACT Mathematics score 18 or above or a sum of the SAT verbal/critical reading and mathematics score 870—basic mathematics skills are assumed

For more information about the Developmental Education Program at Eastern Kentucky University, visit the Developmental Education web page at http://www.developmentaleducation.eku.edu/.

The Developmental Mathematics Program

The Developmental Mathematics Program is administered through the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, and coordinated through the Developmental Committee, the Developmental Mathematics Coordinator, the Course Coordinator and the Lab Assistant Coordinator. Mrs. Ann Bailey is currently serving as the Developmental Mathematics Coordinator, Dr. Margaret Yoder is currently serving as the Course Coordinator, and Mr. Patrick Coen is currently serving as the Lab Assistant Coordinator. Feel free to contact any of them with questions about the program:

Developmental Mathematics Coordinator: Mrs. Ann Bailey, Wallace 318, 622-1408, ann.bailey@eku.edu

Course Coordinator for MAT 090, 095, 098, and 107: Dr. Margaret Yoder, Wallace 306, 622-1618, margaret.yoder@eku.edu

Lab Assistant Coordinator: Mr. Patrick Coen, Wallace 115, 622-2198, pat.coen@eku.edu

For MAT course descriptions go to the Department of Mathematics and Statistics web page at http://www.math.eku.edu/degrees/matcourses.html. The Developmental Mathematics Program focuses on helping students to develop the mathematical skills needed to succeed in college-level courses. The program emphasizes critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Students are taught strategies that help them to use mathematics to solve real-life problems.
The Instructor Guide contains pertinent information for developmental instructors and can be found at http://www.devedtraining.eku.edu/mathematics/AssistantManual_Fall07.doc. Instructors who are teaching large lectures should also read the Lab Assistant Guide, which can be found at http://www.devedtraining.eku.edu/mathematics/LeaderManual_Fall07.doc.

Strategic Planning

The Department of Mathematics and Statistics adopted a new strategic plan for 2006-2010. Included in this plan are objectives for Developmental Reading. Goal I is the following:

To continue offering high-quality courses and teaching in baccalaureate and graduate programs in Mathematics, Mathematics/Teaching, and Statistics; general education and any courses and auxiliary services in the program areas needed to support other programs of the University at all levels; and developmental education.

The plan also includes the following objectives:

In coordination with the Office of Transition and University Services and other appropriate academic departments, the Department of Mathematics & Statistics will help to establish a Mathematics and Science Academy.
In coordination with the Office of Transition and University Services, develop and implement an online developmental education faculty training program in mathematics.

Teaching Strategies

For a bibliography of selected books and articles about developmental mathematics, click here: http://www.devedtraining.eku.edu/mathematics/resources/instructors/.

For a wealth of teaching resources from EKU's Teaching and Learning Center, go to http://www.tlc.eku.edu/tips/.

You can also find some tips in the previously mentioned Instructor Guide: http://www.devedtraining.eku.edu/mathematics/AssistantManual_Fall07.doc .

Syllabi

All instructors are required to include certain items in the course syllabus. For the university policy on syllabi, go to the following site, select the Faculty Handbook for the current academic year, and select "Syllabus Policy."

http://www.universityprograms.eku.edu/facultyhandbook/

The Developmental Mathematics Coordinator writes the syllabi for MAT 090 and MAT 095, and syllabi will be copied by departmental staff. You can pick up copies of your syllabi in Wallace 314. Sample syllabi can be found at http://www.devedtraining.eku.edu/mathematics/MAT090/ and http://www.devedtraining.eku.edu/mathematics/MAT095/. You will need to provide your students with an addendum. Sample addenda for MAT 090 and MAT 095 are available online. Be sure to include your EKU email address and office address under instructor information. Course syllabi and addenda should be distributed to each student during the first class period.

You may review all the Developmental Education Program policies at http://www.developmentaleducation.eku.edu/.

To view the academic calendar or the final exam schedule, go to http://www.eku.edu/compass/.

Textbooks

Textbooks for MAT 090 and MAT 095 are selected by the Developmental Committee in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. The current texts are the following:

MAT 090	MATH 090 PreAlgebra: Customized for Eastern Kentucky University by Alan S. Tussy and R. David Gustafson
MAT 095	Beginning and Intermediate Algebra: MA 095—Eastern Kentucky University by Charles P. McKeague

To get copies of these texts, contact Cindy Greenwell, Senior Office Associate in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Wallace 314, 622-1921, or cindy.greenwell@eku.edu.

If you would like to suggest textbooks for consideration by the committee, please contact the Developmental Committee Chairperson. The Department of Mathematics and Statistics notifies all faculty members when textbook orders are due (generally mid-spring for fall semester and mid-fall for spring semester).

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities

Every syllabus must include the following standardized statement from the Office of Services for Individuals with Disabilities (OSID):

If you are registered with the Office of Services for Individuals with Disabilities, please obtain your accommodation letters from the OSID and present them to the course instructor to discuss any academic accommodations you need. If you are not registered with the OSID, please contact the Office in the Student Services Building Room 361 by email at disserv@eku.edu or by telephone at (859) 622-2933 V/TDD. Upon individual request, this syllabus can be made available in an alternative format.

Communication

In June of 2008, EKU's Board of Regents approved University Policy 11.2.1 University Communications via University Email Accounts. This policy establishes email as one of the primary vehicles with all students, faculty, and staff. An official EKU email address is assigned to each registered student, full- and part-time faculty member, and full- and part-time staff member. All University communications sent via email will be sent to this official address. You should use your official University email address to communicate with students registered in your classes. The policy can be accessed on the Human Resources web page under the Policies and Procedures link at http://www.hr.eku.edu/ and the Student Affairs web page at http://www.studentaffairs.eku.edu/documents/UniversityE-Mail
Accounts.pdf. Please refer any questions regarding this policy to the Office of the Executive Vice President for Administration. Contact Information Technology and Delivery Services at 622-3000 to activate your email account.

Placement

Any questions or concerns about the appropriate placement of students in Developmental MAT courses should be addressed to Sue Cain, Director of Transition and University Services, SSB 326, 622-2306, sue.cain@eku.edu.

Final Exam

A common, departmental exam should be given to students enrolled in MAT 090 and 095 courses. The Developmental Mathematics Coordinator develops the exam each semester and welcomes input from all developmental MAT instructors. If you would like to suggest questions or look at copies of past exams, contact Mrs. Ann Bailey at ann.bailey@eku.edu. Students who want practice exams should go to http://www.mathtutor.eku.edu/courses.htm. If you are teaching a large lecture, one of the coordinators will inform you of the location of your exam.

Standards of Achievement

Students who complete the Developmental Mathematics Program should have the mathematics skills and ability to succeed in college-level courses. The MAT 095 final exam provides one standard of achievement.

A guide for Mathematics standards expected by postsecondary institutions in Kentucky is available at http://cpe.ky.gov/policies/academicpolicies/admissions.

The Transition Mathematics Project College Readiness Math Standards are available at http://www.transitionmathproject.org/standards.asp.

The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Principles and Standards can be accessed at http://standards.nctm.org/.

The National Assessment of Educational Progress mathematics achievement levels are given at http://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard/mathematics/achieveall.asp.

The American Diploma Project's mathematics benchmarks can be found at http://www.achieve.org/ADPBenchmarks.

Help Available for Students

The Mathematics and Statistics Tutoring Center is located in Wallace 342. The center provides tutoring for MAT 090, 095, 098, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 124, 201, 202, 211, and 261 and STA 215 and 270. More information can be found at http://www.mathtutor.eku.edu/. Mary Ann Ghosal is the Coordinator of the Mathematics and Statistics Tutoring Center. Please address any questions regarding tutoring services to her:

Mathematics and Statistics Tutoring Center Coordinator: Mary Ann Ghosal, Wallace 304, 622-2100, maryann.ghosal@eku.edu

Faculty Support

Resources for new faculty may be accessed through EKU's Faculty and Staff Orientation page at http://www.eku.edu/facultystaff/orientation/.

The Developmental Mathematics Coordinator, Course Coordinator and Lab Assistant Coordinator are also available to suggest resources or to share ideas about teaching in the Developmental Mathematics Program. They can also assist you with being matched with a mentor, arranging peer observation, and finding information about professional development opportunities.

July 2008