LaSonya Matts didn’t expect to ever feel sentimental about a math course coming to an end.

LaSonya Matts

“I was never good in math. It was always a phobia of mine,” says Matts, who achieved her GED at age 25 after dropping out of school in the sixth grade.

Determined to earn a college degree, Matts was working to complete her developmental math requirements. She attempted Intermediate Algebra three times.

“My confidence was beginning to waver. I felt like I would never get through it,” recalls Matts. “Then I heard about 0385.”

Developing Mathematical Thinking (MATD 0385) was a new course in fall 2009. Matts signed up – and immediately knew her experience would be different.

“I totally, totally enjoyed it,” says Matts. “This is real-world math.”

That’s the whole idea, according to Dr. Constance Elko, a math professor who was among the first to teach MATD 0385.

“These are students who believe math is not a strong suit for them,” notes Dr. Elko. “They believe they’re not going to be successful. Their attitudes are completely different at the end of the semester.”

MATD 0385 is designed to develop the mathematical skills of students not majoring in math or science fields. Topics include interpretation of data, percentages, and logic. The course places heavy emphasis on the learning process, a method in which students aren’t just learning math; they’re learning to think. MATD 0385 promotes student engagement, with many group activities.

“We can give them fairly sophisticated math situations and have the students work together in solving them. They do quite well,” says Dr. Elko. “It’s a safe environment because they won’t be graded individually on those tasks. You can really give them things you’re not sure they would be able to do. With a little assistance, they are able to do them.”

Dr. Constance Elko

The data backs that up. MATD 0385 has the highest pass rate among developmental math classes. In spring 2011, 73 percent of MATD 0385 students earned an A, B, or C. Basic Math (MATD 0330) had a pass rate of 47 percent, Elementary Algebra (MATD 0370) had a pass rate of 46 percent, and Intermediate Algebra (MATD 0390) had a pass rate of 49 percent.

Results show MATD 0385 is good preparation for College Math (MATH 1332), a credit course. Nearly 84 percent of students who enrolled in MATH 1332 after taking MATD 0385 earned an A, B, or C, compared with about 70 percent of all MATH 1332 students.

MATD 0385 provides practical skills students can apply in other classes and in their daily routines – think a better understanding of credit card bills and mortgage payments. It also encourages critical thinking.

“We give students a battery of techniques they can use to attack any problem,” Dr. Elko says. “They start testing things out and get the confidence to know it’s okay to not have the perfect approach right away – but there are ways to start moving forward. And that’s a good life lesson.”

MATD 0385 is a key component of ACC’s Student Success Initiative (SSI), the college-wide commitment to enhance learning and success for all students.

“Our fondest memories as teachers are always students who are successful,” says Dr. Elko. “In MATD 0385, we have a classroom full of them – students who are more engaged and believing in themselves. They are enjoying math more than ever before, and we have fun.”

LaSonya Matts is now on a mission to direct other students to MATD 0385.

“I told Dr. Elko we needed to get T-shirts made that say, ‘Take 0385,'” she says earnestly. “Once you start, you can finish.”

The class did more than propel Matts through her developmental math requirements – it gave her confidence.

“I earned a B and had a spring in my step,” remembers Matts. “It made me feel excellent.”

She then took and passed her credit math class. Today Matts is in the Associate Degree Nursing (RN) Program.

“What I learned in MATD 0385 helps me with my pharmacology conversions,” she declares happily.

Matts plans to graduate in 2013. She wants others to know they can accomplish their goals too.

“A lot of people are scared of math, and it stops them from going back to school,” Matts says. “I tell people all the time there is now a class for them. This is math you can handle.”

MATD 0385 is offered each semester. For more information on MATD 0385 and other math programs, see austincc.edu/math. To learn about ACC’s Student Success Initiative, visit austincc.edu/success.