{"id":37743,"date":"2016-01-11T13:49:51","date_gmt":"2016-01-11T13:49:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.austincc.edu\/newsroom\/?p=37743"},"modified":"2016-01-15T17:56:53","modified_gmt":"2016-01-15T17:56:53","slug":"acc-student-selected-as-dr-jill-bidens-guest-at-state-of-the-union","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites.austincc.edu\/newsroom\/2016\/01\/11\/acc-student-selected-as-dr-jill-bidens-guest-at-state-of-the-union\/","title":{"rendered":"ACC student invited as Dr. Jill Biden\u2019s guest at State of the Union"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\u2019t be easy, especially math, but Bragdon found a pathway to success through ACC\u2019s ACCelerator math class, MATD 0421.<\/p>\n

She captured the attention of Second Lady Dr. Jill Biden along the way. \u00a0On Tuesday, January 12, Bragdon attended the State of the Union address in Washington, D.C., as Dr. Biden\u2019s special guest.\u00a0\"Bragdon<\/p>\n

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Watch video of Jenny’s experience.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\u201cI teach a lot of developmental students and a lot of returning students,\u201d says Dr. Biden. \u201cThe one stumbling block seems to be math and math anxiety. Jenny\u2019s story is one thousands can relate to and learn from.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dr. Biden met Bragdon during a visit to ACC in March 2015.<\/p>\n

While touring the Highland Campus ACCelerator<\/a>, a 604-station computer lab in which students have access to instructors, tutors, and academic coaches, Dr. Biden saw firsthand how the college\u2019s new developmental math course helps students like Bragdon succeed.<\/p>\n

The course allows students to reach college-level math in a self-paced, highly supported environment.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis class shifted my entire outlook,\u201d says Bradgon. \u201cIt changed the way I look at math. It\u2019s really fun. Now I want to become a math teacher. I know I can help other students overcome their own struggles and find success.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe ACCelerator and innovative courses like ACCelerator math are what community colleges are all about. They have the flexibility to adapt and meet students\u2019 needs,\u201d says Dr. Biden. \u201cI hope other community colleges come and see this and then adopt it on their own campuses.\u201d<\/p>\n

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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).<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re honored that others, including Dr. Biden, are taking note of ACC\u2019s innovations,\u201d says Dr. Richard Rhodes, ACC president and CEO. \u201cStudent success is central to our mission. We are honored to be cited as an example for others.\u201d<\/p>\n

The State of the Union address is available to view online at https:\/\/www.whitehouse.gov\/sotu<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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