Class Covers Math With Less Algebra

Developmental math students, MATD 0385 may be your key to meeting your math requirements without hitting the algebra wall. It’s a class specially designed for college students who won’t need College Algebra credit to graduate.

“The Math Department created MATD 0385 to better serve the mathematical needs of students who don’t need college algebra or calculus,” says Math Professor Constance Elko. “This course prepares the students for the type of mathematics in non-algebra intensive classes and fulfills TSI (Texas Success Initiative) requirements.”

Constance Elko

MATD 0385 is for students who have any of the following math requirements in their college degree plan:

• College Mathematics (MATH 1332);
• Elementary Statistics (MATH 1342); or
• Math for Measurement (MATH 1333).

Students who need college algebra or calculus later must take Intermediate Algebra (MATD 0390), which is the prerequisite for those classes.

Instructors say MATD 0385 classes are more relaxed than algebra classes, and they often use group activities to assist learning. The results are impressive. Of the MATD 0385 students, 70 percent students earned an A, B, or C in the class, compared with 46 percent of students who take Intermediate Algebra.

“One of my students told me she was going to buy a T-shirt that said ‘TAKE 0385’ and wear it around ACC,” Elko says. “MATD 0385 is helping increase the number of students who complete developmental requirements and move to credit courses.”

Comp 4.0 Adds English Credit

Development writing students, you don’t have to wait before taking college English. Comp 4.0 gives you a chance to take English Composition I even while you finish your developmental writing requirement.

Comp 4.0 is actually two courses paired especially for students who scored a 5 on the composition assessment or earned a B or higher in Writing Skills I. They begin the semester tackling Writing Skills II (DEVW 0130) while beginning their work for English Composition I (ENGL 1301).

“It’s not hard if you take advantage of the resources and come to class,” says student Ramona Redmond. “The semester starts out fast, but it’s at a normal pace by week four.”

Comp 4.0 students are charged tuition for 4 credits – 1 credit for the first 8-week Writing Skills II class and 3 credits for English Composition I, which lasts for the entire 16 weeks.

Stacey Stover and Patricia Dungan

“It’s a great way to reward motivated students,” says Stacey Stover, chair of the Developmental Writing Department and co-founder of Comp 4.0. “They’re earning college credit at the same time they exit developmental writing.”

Comp 4.0 is a style of teaching called a learning community, which in essence combines separate classes into one, longer class with the same students and instructor(s). Comp 4.0 enrollment is limited to 16 students, which allows plenty of opportunity for student and instructor interaction.

“I had one English instructor tell me this is her favorite class to teach because she is able to really connect with students,” says Developmental Writing Professor Patricia Dungan. “The students connect better to the college and to each other and to their studies. In fact, students become friends and often take other classes together.”