Houston Community College to add New Mathways Program in Spring 2015
Sep 23, 2014
Houston Community College is embarking in the new statewide initiative “Accelerate Texas” by launching its New Mathways Program to improve student success in developmental math. The program will start in the spring 2015 semester. In this program, students’ progress through developmental math courses will not only be accelerated and more efficient, but students will also be able to select their individualized “Mathway” based on their area of interest or major.
In the past, students had to take as many as three full semesters of developmental math just to qualify for a required college-level course. With this new program, students that place into developmental math may be ready for a college-level course in one semester. In addition, for many students, the developmental math course will be paired with a student success course designed to develop effective behaviors and skills for academic success and study strategies leading to completion.
“The HCC New Mathways Program is being launched to allow students to get on the road to success in college math much more quickly,” said Dr. Susan Fife, Program Coordinator of Developmental Mathematics at HCC. “Where in the past students may have been bogged down with several courses in developmental math that didn’t count for college credit, and spent additional time and money, now many students will be able to transition with only one pre-requisite math course aligned with their field of study.”
The program has been a collaborative effort between the HCC Mathematics Program and The Charles A. Dana Center at UT Austin. It is based on four fundamental principles:
- Multiple pathways with challenging mathematics content geared to a student’s specific field of study.
- Accelerating students more quickly to a college-level math course.
- Specific and relevant strategies to help students develop skills as learners.
- Curriculum design based on proven practices in teaching and learning.
Students should refer to their specific degree plan or speak with their advisor for more details. There may be some variations to these Mathways based on a particular field of study or college placement results and in university transfer requirements.
Student success and accelerating a student’s progress through a college education: that’s what this New Mathways Program is all about,” said Dr. Stephen Levey, Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Instruction at HCC. “HCC is committed to educating students who will graduate prepared for their chosen careers. By following a Mathway more closely aligned with their field of study, each student will be completing courses that tie more directly to what will be needed in their future careers.” For more information about Houston Community College New Mathways program go to www.hccs.edu/mathways.