Building a Bridge to Improve Student Success: A Collaborative Project between Western Connecticut State University and Area High Schools

Research & Teaching in Developmental Education, Spring 2006 by Maida, Paula, Zink, Abbey

Next Steps and Promising Possibilities

The next step in the "Bridge" project is to complete Phase III and initiate the subsequent cohort to repeat this cycle for a second year. While the number of college entrants placing into remedial English and math courses continues to fall in the vicinity of at least 60-70% nationwide, it becomes increasingly fundamental to explore creative ways to identify and improve areas of need through positive, collaborative efforts and networking among high school and college educators. This increased communication and interaction have been invaluable in the "Bridge" project as it has fostered heightened awareness and perspectives of the high school course sequencing, various paths/tracks that students follow, and possibilities for better utilization of the senior year. By sharing experiences, learning about each other's curriculum, and asking each other "How do we fit into your needs?", the "Building a Bridge" project continues to be a win-win situation for everyone involved.

1 ENG 098 is a basic writing skills course that carries no academic credit toward graduation. Upon completion of this course, a student must complete ENG 101: The Habit of Writing and a writing intensive "W" course to satisfy the university's English requirement. As a result of the "Building a Bridge" project, ENG 099: Basic Composition Skills for ESL has been reintroduced.

2 MAT 098 is an elementary algebra course that carries no academic credit toward graduation. Upon completion of this course, a student must complete an intermediate algebra course and a general education course to satisfy the university's mathematics reauirement.

3 For more information about WestConn, visit http://www.wcsu.edu/president/factsfigures.asp.

4 To learn more about ALEKS, visit www.highed.aleks.com and click on 'Be Our Guest' for a free trial.

5 To learn more about PassKey, visit www.passkeylearning.com.

References

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Frahm, R. A. (2004, May 27). Attrition worries state colleges; Fewer than half of freshmen go on to graduate, official says. The Hartford Courant, p. B1.

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