When Jenny Bragdon walked into her first class at Austin Community College in spring 2015 she was nervous but excited. It had been more than 20 years since Bragdon sat in a class. She knew it wouldn’t be easy, especially math, but Bragdon found a pathway to success through ACC’s ACCelerator math class, MATD 0421.
She captured the attention of Second Lady Dr. Jill Biden along the way. On Tuesday, January 12, Bragdon attended the State of the Union address in Washington, D.C., as Dr. Biden’s special guest. 
“I teach a lot of developmental students and a lot of returning students,” says Dr. Biden. “The one stumbling block seems to be math and math anxiety. Jenny’s story is one thousands can relate to and learn from.”
Dr. Biden met Bragdon during a visit to ACC in March 2015.
While touring the Highland Campus ACCelerator, a 604-station computer lab in which students have access to instructors, tutors, and academic coaches, Dr. Biden saw firsthand how the college’s new developmental math course helps students like Bragdon succeed.
The course allows students to reach college-level math in a self-paced, highly supported environment.
“This class shifted my entire outlook,” says Bradgon. “It changed the way I look at math. It’s really fun. Now I want to become a math teacher. I know I can help other students overcome their own struggles and find success.”
“The ACCelerator and innovative courses like ACCelerator math are what community colleges are all about. They have the flexibility to adapt and meet students’ needs,” says Dr. Biden. “I hope other community colleges come and see this and then adopt it on their own campuses.”
The ACCelerator developmental math course has seen promising results. In fall 2014, about 80 percent of students received a passing grade of A, B, or C, compared with 47 percent of students in traditional developmental math courses. Further, preliminary data indicate that MATD 0421 students are less likely to withdraw from the course than those in traditional developmental math courses (10 percent versus 22 percent).
“We’re honored that others, including Dr. Biden, are taking note of ACC’s innovations,” says Dr. Richard Rhodes, ACC president and CEO. “Student success is central to our mission. We are honored to be cited as an example for others.”
The State of the Union address is available to view online at https://www.whitehouse.gov/sotu.
Tags: ACCelerator, developmental math, Dr. Jill Biden, Dr. Richard Rhodes, Highland Campus, Jenny Bragdon, MATD 0421, State of the Union address
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By Sherri Taylor January 11, 2016 - 10:03 pm
Congratulations on your continued success. Having completed my Master’s degree@UT, Austin decades ago, I found myself trying to upgrade my eligibility for S.T.E.A.M.( science, technology, engineering, arts, math) adjunct positions after age 62. Following the very specific study techniques outlined in the Psych 2301 syllabus I earned the final result of an A. I thought the “snow day” abbreviated series would drop my final grade from an A, but life is about preparing for success before the adventurous rabbit trails divert our attention and finances. Education is a living ever changing milestone, a legacy in the making, and a way to strengthen intergenerational family relationships and technical skills of older adults sharing classes with budding adults similar to ages of their own children and grand children.
I am excited about focusing on guidance facing today’s answers for today’s issues.