Introduction

Four areas within University College are aligned with our goal of helping students achieve college readiness in the foundational areas of algebra, reading and writing. These areas include:

• Developmental Education
• Our Partners for Success Consortium Agreement Program with Del Mar College
• The Javelina College Readiness Project, or J Corp, our theoretical framework for providing high-quality developmental education in a supportive environment, and
• P-16 College Readiness Outreach

Developmental Education

Why do we recommend that some students complete developmental education courses?

Our program provides pre-college instruction in reading, writing and algebra which is designed to prepare students for successful entry into regular academic courses. Our comprehensive program is based upon a computer-aided instruction platform and includes opportunities for students to participate in supplemental instruction and tutoring services. Program assessment demonstrates that students who complete these courses are more successful during the year following course completion. In 2007, as an example, Texas Success Initiative Retention Rates for our students (defined as student retention one year after completion of developmental education requirements) reached 77%, as compared to our average freshman rate for all students of 61%. Simply stated, developmental education helps students develop the skills need to be successful as they strive to achieve their goal of obtaining a college degree!

University College provides developmental education coursework as follows. Placement in these courses is based upon ACT / SAT scores provided at admission and according to standards identified in our University College Enrollment Guide and Developmental Education Plan

• Developmental Algebra 1 (ALGE 0300).  Designed to provide students with an introduction to algebra.  Topics include operations using real numbers, solving linear equations, problem solving techniques, introduction to graphing linear equations, simplifying exponential expressions and polynomials and an introduction to factoring.  An example syllabus (including student learning outcomes) is provided here.
• Developmental Algebra 2 (ALGE 0301).  Designed to provide students with more advanced algebraic skills necessary for success in college-level mathematics.  Topics include a review of linear equations and problem solving techniques, rational expressions, graphic nonlinear equations and roots and radicals.  An example syllabus (including student learning outcomes) is provided here. 
• Developmental Reading  (READ 0300).  Improvement of reading skills through individualized development of flexible speed, comprehension, vocabulary and study skills.  An example syllabus (including student learning outcomes) is provided here.   
• Developmental Writing (WRIT 0300).  Intensive review of basic grammar and usage, study of various sentence and paragraph patterns leading to theme composition, development of vocabulary and reading skills.  An example syllabus (including student learning outcomes) is provided here. 

Partners for Success Consortium Agreement Program with Del Mar College

Partners for Success is a cooperative effort by Texas A&M-Kingsville and Del Mar College to provide students with basic academic skills that will increase their chances of success at the University level.  The participants in this program are co-enrolled at both institutions, with Del Mar College providing lower-level developmental courses.  These courses are conducted in University College classrooms and the Del Mar College faculty and staff are housed in Eckhardt Hall.  The program assures that students seeking higher education will have a starting point customized to their academic needs, thus allowing every student the opportunity for a successful academic future.  Placement in these courses is based on an analysis of placement scores provided to TAMUK as part of the admissions process.  A copy of our memorandum of understanding, which describes our Partners for Success program and identifies placement criteria, is provided here.   

Javelina College Readiness Project (J Corp)

In summer 2007 and with the financial support of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, the University College theoretical framework for college readiness was developed as the Javelina College Readiness Project, or J Corp.  Our J Corp philosophy articles the College goal that student success will be increased as courses are redesigned and additional assistance is provided.  J Corp programs apply a variety of approaches to our goal of improving student success.  Examples of J Corp outcomes include: 

• The J Corp Summer Math Camp designed to improve math literacy and student preparedness for college;
• Incorporation of Wiki seed groups into the developmental writing curriculum, providing students with opportunities for review and reflection of their work prior to submission;
• Reduction in the amount of non-credit contact time required for developmental algebra laboratories as online, web-based assignments are embedded into these courses; and
• Intentional alignment of lecture and laboratory sections in developmental reading with the goal of developing a cohort / community of collaborative learners.