September 2017
IN THIS ISSUE
Spotlights





Message from Chancellor Madeline Pumariega
We live in a data driven society where analytics, numbers and mathematical concepts inform our actions. Even with calculators and computers doing many of the computations for the workplace and banks handling daily survival tasks of balancing check books and accounts, basic math skills are still important in the workplace. The question is how much math and what form is necessary for the 21st century student.  A 2015 study by Saxe & Braddy for the Mathematical Association of America found traditional mathematics courses are a significant barrier to degree completion for all fields of study.  Unsuccessful completion of college level math courses contributed to increased attrition rates and time to degree.  Each year in the United States, only 50 percent of students taking a college-level mathematics course passed the common gateway math.  At first glance, those findings are daunting.  If our goal as a college system is to create pathways to success then removing road blocks and challenges must be a priority to help students move from the classroom to the workforce.

At the University of Texas at Austin, The Dana Center Mathematics Pathways study pinpointed two issues contributing to the problem, a mismatch of content for today's student and the sequencing of courses.  An important and positive take away from the study is the student's capability, their commitment to the courses and their skills did not play a role in the high failure rate. In fact, the structure of the courses had the greatest impact on student success rate.

Better aligning math to future workforce needs is achievable.  Quantitative reasoning, statistics and technical math may better suit a certificate program or social science student.  Algebraic and calculus pathways fulfill requirements for STEM, healthcare and business degree pathways.  Strategies like contextualizing material to the relevant major engages the students and creates an environment of success which is critical to the Florida College System's mission to prepare the workforce of the future. 

Much has been done in the last three years aligning curriculum, bridging learning gaps with technology and individualized tutoring to ensure student success. Lake-Sumter State College's Rise Math Emporium, which is highlighted later in the Newsletter, is just one of several programs focusing on math pathways to ensure that students receive the individualized attention they need to succeed.  Indian River State College's Math at the Root of Success: The Redesign of Gateway Math and Miami Dade College's Gateway Math Redesign and Improved Math Advising were featured in the Best Practices Convening in the spring. The October Innovations and Excellence Convening will continue to share innovative practices that show promising results, like guided pathways, with national thought leaders in math gathering to discuss best practices with the Florida College System in an effort to replicate successful practices across the state. 

With great appreciation,


Madeline Pumariega
Chancellor
Lake-Sumter State College's RISE Math Emporium Delivery Model  
Lake-Sumter State College (LSSC) has created a successful program to help students succeed in developmental mathematics courses. Entitled the RISE Math Emporium Delivery Model, this strategic program focuses on improving all students' math success in developmental math and algebra courses. The modular emporium delivery method emphasizes reduced lecture time and increases one-on-one student engagement using adaptive learning software to complement the instructor's lesson. The emporium delivery method also allows students in developmental courses to complete their coursework at their own pace with the ability to carryover modules to one-credit completion options thus saving students time and money. The outcome of this program has resulted in fewer third attempts in developmental math courses as students experience a greater self-confidence in their math abilities leading to improved retention and completion rates. This student-centered delivery approach has produced success rates as high as 77 percent in MAC 1105 College Algebra classes. Furthermore, students that successfully complete MAT 0028 Developmental Math II and then take MAT 1033 Intermediate Algebra the following semester typically have a success rate of over 80 percent. 


LSSC has estab li shed a RISE Summer Math Academy which provides students with a college-prep, academic opportunity and social experience for incoming 11th and 12th graders. The academy is a three-week session that will prepare students for dual enrollment status, as well as prepare them to enter college and succeed at the college-credit math level. The program has state-of-the-art technology with computers and is free to all eligible participants. 
Hurricane Irma Response and Recovery Efforts
In the aftermath of Hurricane Irma, our colleges and its leaders have helped our impacted students and communities recover and rebuild. Our colleges play a critical role in our communities not only as economic engines but as beacons of hope and light which was so evidently displayed in communities throughout Florida as our graduates were the first to respond to the needs of their communities. They were part of the first responders that carried out search and rescue efforts, as well as our National Guard that were deploy ed  to help with recovery efforts. Countless others were essential employees in hospitals, energy companies and  telecommunic at ions, all critical to the coordinated recovery of Florida.
 
Our colleges played an instrumental role in serving as shelters and staging areas during and after the storm. Numerous students served as volunteers in shelters, food pantries, cleaning up debris and answering phone  lines when our communitie s lost their connection to critical resources. Our colleges opened their doors so they could use the libraries and computer centers to begin the process of securing those important resources.
 

As we reset our fal l semester, we know that we still have friends, family, colleagues and students that are still feeling the impact of Hurricane Irma. Our Florida Keys Community College welcomed their students back just two days ago. We wish them well and stand ready to support them as we continue to keep those impacted by Hurricanes Harvey and Maria in our praye rs. 
 
Governor Rick Scott declared a State of Emergency for all 67 Florida counties in response to the devastating impact on Puerto Rico by Hurricane Maria. The declaration will provide those displaced with important resources and assistance to best accommodate the needs of families impacted by the storm when arriving in Florida. Governor Scott also released an announcement  asking Florida colleges and universities to allow stude nts who have been displaced  by the storm to be provided with out-of-state tuition fee waivers.
 
"Access to in-state tuition will ease the burden for students and families during this difficult time and allow them to focus on their education," said Governor Scott.
 
It is during these times of hardship that we see our colleges rise as community leaders, working in partnership with local, state and national organizations to meet the needs of their regions. The strength, passion and resilience of our communities will help those impacted by the storms recover and rebuild stronger than before.
Community College Research Center Highlights College Completion Rates for Dual Enrollment Students 
The Community College Research Center (CCRC) released a report on high school-community college dual enrollment showing that in the fall of 2010, dual enrollment students accounted for 15 percent of all new students at Florida's community colleges. Ninety-three percent of those dual enrolled students continued into college after high school, and Florida is above the national average in the percentage of former dual enrollment students who earned a higher education credential after enrolling in a community college (64%).

In the past 15 years, the number of dual enrollment students in high school has expanded nationwide as  students, educators and policymakers have grabbed onto the potential of dual enrollment offering  students a jump-start on obtaining a college degree and making higher education more affordable. This  report is the first to look, state-by-state, at how many high school students are taking community college  classes, as well as observing their outcomes once transitioning to college.
 
The report shows large state-by-state rate variations of college completion among former dual  enrollment students. Florida is above the national average. When it comes to the percentage of former  dual enrollment students who first enrolled at a community college after high school, Florida is above  the national average at 52%. 
 
"Studies suggest that taking college courses in high school can increase the chances that both  advantaged and disadvantaged students go to college and earn a degree," said Davis Jenkins, a senior  research scholar at CCRC and co-author of the report.
 
Dual enrollment classes enable students to advance in their classes by earning college credit and saving  on the costs of higher education, which eliminates the limitation of students not obtaining a college  degree due to tuition costs. 
 
"The CCRC report reflects the high quality dual enrollment programs across our state that serve as one  of many options to allow students to accelerated college completion," said Florida College System  Chancellor Madeline Pumariega. 
Mario Fajardo - Florida Keys Community College  

Mario Fajardo is a recruit from the Florida Keys Community College (FKCC) Institute for Public Safety's part-time Upper Keys Basic Law Enforcement (BLE) Academy #63 obtaining a College Credit Certificate. The College Credit Certificate is a series of college-credit courses that prepares students for entry-level employment in certain career fields or for career advancement. FKCC's BLE program satisfies the training requirements of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission.  Once cadets pass the state certification exam, they will be eligible to become Florida Law Enforcement Officers.

Recruit Fajardo has extensive computer knowledge including experience in computer networking design, support and integration. However, Fajardo decided to make a career change to help provide a positive impact in our society by becoming an officer. Ultimately, Fajardo's career goals are to work for the Monroe County Sheriff's Office within Marine Patrol, School Officer and eventually move up within the ranks. Fajardo would like to become an instructor to train future recruits hoping to become law enforcement officers. 

Since the devastating impact of Hurricane Irma to the Florida Keys, recruits from the BLE Academies have shown great support through volunteering their time throughout the community in hopes to recover and rebuild. 

Monroe County Sheriff's Office Lieutenant Nancy Alvarez from the Upper Keys said, "Without a doubt, Mario Fajardo, a recruit from the part-time Upper Keys BLE #63 academy, has put in so many hours and assisted with hurricane duty and doing any task asked of him. He has displayed the attributes of a team player and goes above and beyond the call of duty no matter what the task is." 

Recruits like Fajardo play a critical role in serving as examples of individuals who will help build and maintain positive relationships between the community and law enforcement. Individuals who worked tirelessly throughout the storm to ensure the safety and well-being of Floridians who have been impacted serve not only as community leaders but as beacons of hope and light during hardships. 
Faculty and Administrators: Nominate a Student to be the Chancellor's Clark Maxwell Scholar Student of the Month
In honor of the late Chancellor Clark Maxwell Jr., each month a student is selected to represent the Florida College System. Nominations for the Student of the Month are accepted on a rolling basis. If you know a student who demonstrates exemplary leadership skills, academic success, and/or commitment to community service through their involvement in the Florida College System, nominate them today!
St. John River State College's Thrasher-Horne Center 
St. John River State College's (SJRS) Thrasher-Horne Center, located on the Orange Park Campus, opened its doors in 2004 serving the Northeast Florida Community. This $22 million, 84,000-sqaure-foot facility holds 1,750 seats and is home to a 6,200-square-foot conference center. The building is named after former Senator John Thrasher and former State Representative Jim Horne, who were instrumental in helping to provide funding for the center. Hundreds of events have taken place at the center including nationally touring musicians and performers, Broadway musicals, and various other cultural events. The Thrasher-Horne Center also includes a 220 flexible-seat Studio Theatre, two Visual Arts Galleries, a full dance studio, Scene Shop, and modern dressing rooms with full artist amenities.

The addition of the Thrasher-Horne Center provided the Clay County area with its first major flagship arts facility. The center not only provides both educational and entertainment value, but also benefits Clay County economically. Most recently, the center served as a special needs shelter during Hurricane Irma, opening its doors Sept. 10 to provide a place of safety for those in need. Additionally, a fundraiser was held on Sept. 23 at the Thrasher-Horne Center in hopes of supporting recovery efforts of Clay County's Safe Animal Shelter after being impacted by the hurricane. The vision of the Thrasher-Horne Center is to become the premiere gathering place and the hub of community in Northeast Florida. 
Thank You to Our Sponsor of the Chancellor's Best Practice Awards