OtherCurricularIssues.tex

% arara: pdflatex: {files: [MathSACpr2014]}
% !arara: indent: {overwrite: yes}
\chapter{Other  Curricular Issues}\label{chap:otherissues}
\epigraph{Education is the only business still debating the usefulness of
	technology.}{Rod Paige, former U.S. Secretary of Education (2002)}
\section[Distance education]{To what degree are courses offered in a Distance
 modality (online, hybrid, interactive television, etc.)? For courses offered
 both via DL and on-campus, are there differences in student success? (Contact
 the Office of Institutional Effectiveness, either Laura Massey or Rob Vergun,
 for course-level data). If so, how are you, or will you address these
 differences? What significant revelations, concerns or questions arise in the
 area of DL delivery?}\label{other:sec:distancelearning}

The Math SAC offers Distance Learning (DL) courses in online, hybrid, and
interactive television (ITV) modalities.  We strive to make our DL course
experience simulate the face-to-face course experience with respect to
instructor presence, feedback, and assessment. We use discussion boards to
simulate the classroom learning environment, and an array of online homework
platforms to assess and prepare our students effectively. A Math SAC DL standing
committee is charged with discussing the structure of our current DL courses, as
well as developing and maintaining current DL best practices and standards.

\subsection{Presence of DL offerings}
All of our pre-college level math courses (except a calculator skills course)
have a DL offering, as do most of our lower-division collegiate courses.
Courses that are not offered using a distance modality fall into two categories:
those on the high end of our collegiate courses, and specialty courses with low
enrollments; \cref{tab:sec3:DLofferings} shows complete details.

\begin{table}
	\caption{Course Offerings through Distance Learning}\label{tab:sec3:DLofferings}
	\centering
	\begin{tabular}{ccccccccc}
		\toprule
		\multicolumn{3}{p{1in}}{Offered as DL} & \multicolumn{3}{p{1in}}{Not offered  DL upper division} & \multicolumn{3}{p{1in}}{Not offered  DL specialty}\\
		\midrule
		020 & 030 & 060 & 251 & 252 & 253 & 015 & 25C & 26C \\
		065 & 070 & 084 & 254 & 256 & 261 & 061 & 062 & 063 \\
		095 & 111 & 112 &     &     &     & 093 & 105 & 211 \\
		241& 243& 244&		&&&					212& 213\\
		\bottomrule
	\end{tabular}
\end{table}

Approximately 14.1\% of PCC math enrollments were DL based during the
academic year 2012/13 compared to only 9.1\% in the 2007/08 academic year.
This percentage increase is coupled with a general enrollment surge over the
past five years, and the number of DL enrollments has grown by over 150\% in
this time period. \Cref{fig:sec3:DLenrollments,fig:sec3:F2Fenrollments} show
student enrollment in face-to-face courses compared to online courses over six
academic years. Note that even while overall enrollment has declined some since
its peak in 2011/12, that absolute enrollment in DL courses has still grown.
\Cref{tab:sec3:F2FandDLdata2007,tab:sec3:F2FandDLdata2010} give more detailed
data---note that we do not offer classes above MTH 244 in a DL modality.

\begin{figure}[!htb]
	\begin{minipage}[t]{.5\textwidth}
		%\includegraphics[width=\textwidth]{graphics/enrollmentInDL.pdf}
		\input{graphics/enrollmentInDL.tex}
		\caption{Enrollments in DL}\label{fig:sec3:DLenrollments}
	\end{minipage}%
	\begin{minipage}[t]{.5\textwidth}
		%\includegraphics[width=\textwidth]{graphics/enrollmentInF2F.pdf}
		\input{graphics/enrollmentInF2F.tex}
		\caption{Enrollments in face-to-face classes}\label{fig:sec3:F2Fenrollments}
	\end{minipage}
\end{figure}

\begin{table}[!htb]
	\begin{widepage}
	\centering
	\caption{DL \& Face-to-face (F2F) enrollments and pass rates 2007--2010}
	\label{tab:sec3:F2FandDLdata2007}
	\input{tables/dlvsF2FenrollPass2007-2010.tex}
	\vspace{2pc}
	\caption{DL \& Face-to-face (F2F) enrollments and pass rates 2010--2013}
	\label{tab:sec3:F2FandDLdata2010}
	\input{tables/dlvsF2FenrollPass2010-2013.tex}
	\end{widepage}
\end{table}

As enrollment demand for DL math courses has increased, we have increased the
number of sections that we offer and trained more interested faculty in managing
DL courses.  Between the academic years of 2003/04 and 2007/08, the annual
number of sections offered increased from 51 to 87.  In the 2012/13 academic
year, we offered 185 DL sections.   The resulting increase in sections offers
access to students that can succeed in this modality and need this option due to
outside constraints such as work and family.

\subsection{Success rates in DL courses}
Pass rates in DL courses are quite noticeably lower than those for their
face-to-face counterparts; \cref{fig:sec3:F2FandDLpassRates} visualizes the
difference in pass rates between the highest enrollment DL courses that we offer
and their face-to-face counterparts. More detailed data for all DL offerings can
be seen in \cref{tab:sec3:F2FandDLdata2007,tab:sec3:F2FandDLdata2010}---see also
\vref{app:sec:dlsuccess}. We recognize that students need a
certain level of self-discipline, better study skills, and comfort engaging with
technology to succeed in a DL course. However we currently have no method for
screening which students are less likely to succeed using a distance modality;
our recommendations on \cpageref{other:sec:recommendations} attempt to address this issue.

Referencing \cref{fig:sec3:F2FandDLpassRates},
it is clear that, in the six academic years shown, the pass rates
generally decrease regardless of delivery mode.  We hypothesize that this
overall trend is mostly the result of the economic collapse of 2008 which led to
increased enrollment and changes in our student demographics (see demographics
data in \vref{app:sec:demographicdata}).  But the pass rates in DL courses are
as much as 30\% lower than in face-to-face counterparts and this large
discrepancy needs to be addressed.

\begin{figure}[!htb]
	\begin{widepage}
	\begin{subfigure}{.3\textwidth}
		\input{graphics/passRatesByModality020.tex}
		\captionof{figure}{MTH 20}
	\end{subfigure}%
	\begin{subfigure}{.3\textwidth}
		\input{graphics/passRatesByModality060.tex}
		\captionof{figure}{MTH 60}
	\end{subfigure}%
	\begin{subfigure}{.3\textwidth}
		\input{graphics/passRatesByModality065.tex}
		\captionof{figure}{MTH 65}
	\end{subfigure}

	\vspace{2pc}

	\begin{subfigure}{.3\textwidth}
		\input{graphics/passRatesByModality095.tex}
		\captionof{figure}{MTH 95}
	\end{subfigure}%
	\begin{subfigure}{.3\textwidth}
		\input{graphics/passRatesByModality111.tex}
		\captionof{figure}{MTH 111}
	\end{subfigure}%
	\begin{subfigure}{.3\textwidth}
		\input{graphics/passRatesByModality243.tex}
		\captionof{figure}{MTH 243}
	\end{subfigure}
	\caption{Pass Rates By Modality}
	\label{fig:sec3:F2FandDLpassRates}
	\end{widepage}
\end{figure}

The difference in student-success rates between on-campus courses and DL courses
is an important issue for the Math SAC.  The Distance Learning Standing
Committee has met to consider this issue and the factors that lead to this
difference in success rates.  We can only speculate the reason for the disparity
based on anecdotal evidence and professional experience.  Students may no longer
see DL courses as unusual, so they may be unaware that successful DL math
students should have stronger study skills, self-discipline, and time management
skills than face-to-face math students absolutely need to be successful. We
believe that many students register for DL math courses without adequate
understanding of the study habits, time commitment, learning styles, and
technical skills that are necessary for success in these classes. Anecdotal
evidence suggests that some students who are aware of these issues and who would
otherwise enroll in a face-to-face section still enroll in a DL section due to a
lack of space in face-to-face sections.

There is currently a DL orientation available for DL students, but there is no
requirement that students complete it. Furthermore, there is no information in
the orientation to help students understand the particular challenges of
studying \emph{mathematics} using the DL delivery methods.  In many disciplines,
reading, writing, and discussion can be sufficient for learning. Students in
mathematics typically do not learn best until they have also acted, by working
through exercises or active problem solving. In face-to-face classes,
instructors can monitor that this learning-through-action is happening more
easily. In DL courses, there is more of a need for students to rely on
self-discipline to complete this portion of their learning, and this is not
communicated in the existing DL orientation.

\subsection{Informing DL students}
The Course Information Page (CIP) is accessible to students registering for DL
courses and is meant to give section-specific information to students as they
decide which sections to register for.   Many faculty members use this system to
inform students of issues related to an online mathematics course.  For example,
faculty address the misconception that a DL class requires fewer hours of
attention per week than a face-to-face class. We believe that many students do
not visit the CIP for DL classes and continue to be unaware of the tools they
will need to be successful in a DL mathematics course.   Some faculty members
send emails to registered students before the term starts, asking them to read
the CIP;  it is not clear, however, how many students read this email or act on
it.  The link to a CIP is only available via the online class, and not via
MyPCC; this lack of presence may contribute to the issue.

Other methods that are employed by DL faculty to directly communicate with their
students include:
\begin{itemize}
	\item using the Course Progress Notifications (CPNs);
	\item placing telephone calls to students;
	\item using Collaborate to hold online office hours in a kind of visual and aural chat session.
\end{itemize}

\subsection{Online homework platforms}
Faculty have sought to increase engagement by DL students through use of online
homework platforms. An online homework platform can provide students with
immediate feedback and also hold the student accountable for completion of
assigned exercises. Faculty can monitor progress and employ formative assessment
from a distance.

The SAC recognizes that program changes should come from research toward best
practices.  Faculty members Wendy Fresh, Rebecca Ross, Tammy Louie, Jessica
Bernards, and Diane Edwards have investigated the effects of use of an online
homework system in several experiments in both DL and face-to-face courses. In most
cases, results from these experiments suggest there may be positive effects to
using an online platform, but it remains too early to declare statistical
significance. To demonstrate statistical significance in studies of this nature
requires considerably large sample sizes.

However Jessica Bernards has been able to measure one positive effect to a
significant degree. Instructor Bernards taught several online sections of MTH
111, with control groups doing homework from the textbook and submitting paper
write-ups, and experimental groups using online homework. The withdrawal rate
was 32\% for the control group and only 16\% for the experimental group, and
this difference was statistically significant ($P<1\%$).  Instructor Wendy Fresh
ran a very similar experiment with online sections of MTH 60. There may still be
an effect at that level, but more data is necessary to confirm with statistical
significance. Both instructors noted modest improvement in exam scores among the
experimental group, but again more data is being gathered to confirm with
significance.

For more information on research by Instructors Bernards and Fresh for DL
courses, see \vref{app:sec:onlinehwstudy}. For information on research by
instructors Edwards and Louie, see \vref{app:sec:aleks} and also
\cpageref{sec3:subset:alekspilot}. Research on the efficacy of WeBWorK (an online
homework platform discussed on \cpageref{other:sec:webwork}) was done in
\cite{focuswebwork}.  In \cite{brewer} it was found that when students are
segregated by incoming ability, those who were less prepared when entering a
course do benefit significantly from online homework use. As a community
college, we have more under prepared students than universities, so this
finding suggests that use of online homework may be more helpful at PCC. It is
important to note that each of these studies were done with face-to-face
courses; in DL courses the traditional homework alternative presents the
challenge of delivery, complicating the question in favor of using online
homework.

\subsection{WeBWorK}\label{other:sec:webwork}
Recent exciting developments at PCC have centered around the free and
open-source online homework platform called WeBWorK that is partially funded by
the National Science Foundation and maintained by the Mathematical Association
of America. By Spring 2014 we expect that over 20 faculty will be using WeBWorK
in their courses. The Math SAC is also loaning out the services of Alex Jordan
to CTE and LDC science SACs to create free online homework review programs. We
envision using WeBWorK for future Learning Assessment research and placement
advising. We are working with Dual Credit instructors to offer WeBWorK services
to Portland Public Schools.

Most of the textbooks currently in use by the Math SAC are published by Pearson
Publishing, which offers MyMathLab for its online homework platform. While
MyMathLab and similar commercial products come as a bundled expense with new
textbook purchases, a separate online account for pairing with a used textbook
purchase is rather expensive. For this reason, face-to-face instructors rarely
require MyMathLab in their courses. On the other hand, Distance Learning
instructors have a stronger need for an online homework platform and the
majority of DL instructors do require that students use (and pay for) MyMathLab.

By contrast, WeBWorK is a platform for online homework that is free and
open-source. As there is no central headquarters for WeBWorK, it must be
installed on a server somewhere. Since joining the Math SAC in Spring 2009,
Alex Jordan has championed the implementation and use of WeBWorK at PCC. Some
PCC math faculty have used WeBWorK in various capacities by borrowing server
space from the University of Oregon, a relationship formed and maintained by
Jordan. This partnership between two Oregon state institutions has been
mutually beneficial. While PCC gained server access, PCC faculty members were
programming content that the University of Oregon has been able to take advantage of. Each term since
Fall 2011, roughly 10 sections of PCC math courses have used the UO server.

Over this period, WeBWorK users in the Math SAC lobbied Technology Solution
Services to provide the Math SAC with its own WeBWorK server. While the UO
server provided service to us, it came with certain restrictions and
complications that prevented WeBWorK at PCC from reaching its full potential.
For a time there was a chicken-and-egg situation, as TSS requested a greater
usage by PCC faculty before arranging for a server while some faculty chose not
to use WeBWorK because of the inconvenience of using the UO server.

In the 2012/13 academic year, faculty Chris Hughes and Scot Leavitt researched
accessibility issues (in the ADA sense) alongside Disability Services. See
\cite{accessibilityproject} for the full report. Among many other findings, they
found that MyMathLab (at the time of the project) had many significant
accessibility problems while WeBWorK was quite close to being fully ADA
compliant. The open-source nature of WeBWorK meant that the few remaining
obstacles to accessibility could be addressed. They recommended that the SAC
cease using MyMathLab for newly developed courses and newly developed online
shells. They also recommended that faculty migrate from MyMathLab to WeBWorK.
Disability Services supported their recommendations, and also began lobbying TSS
for a PCC WeBWorK server. Within the WeBWorK community PCC is now seen as a
leader when it comes to accessibility issues. See \cite{webworkblog} for a post
about this on the WeBWorK news blog. As a result of this, PCC is hosting a
WeBWorK development camp in August 2014 with a central theme of addressing
accessibility issues and enhancing its accessibility.\label{other:page:disabilityservices}

TSS partnered with the Clackamas Education Service District to deliver a WeBWorK
server that has been fully implemented since Winter 2014.  SAC members Alex Jordan,
Chris Hughes, and Xiaolong Yao have prepared
\href{http://webwork.pcc.edu}{webwork.pcc.edu} for regular use starting Winter
2014 term. A backup server at
\href{http://webwork-dev.pcc.edu}{webwork-dev.pcc.edu} is in place for faculty
to experiment with.

The arrival of our own WeBWorK installation has significant implications beyond
homework management, particularly in the advising department. We envisage that
advisors would enroll students in a `review course' that contains (mostly)
pre-college practice problems, and that the student would be encouraged to sit
the COMPASS placement test only when they are comfortable with the problems in
WeBWorK. Furthermore, we can easily use WeBWorK as an advising tool to replace
Hughes' Placement Advisory Test (\cite{mathprogramreview2003}, pages 12--13) in
situations when students are not happy with
their placement from COMPASS.  The SAC should work with advising to implement
this.

\subsection{PCC WeBWorK problem library}
WeBWorK has been in use at universities for some time now, and an extensive
library exists of math problems for college level courses. However there was
weak content support for basic algebra and other pre-college topics. Over
Summer 2013, Alex Jordan, Chris Hughes, and Xiaolong Yao oversaw an effort to
create
a library of high-quality, algorithmically generated, basic algebra WeBWorK
exercises which was partly funded with an IIP development grant; they received
support from math instructors Kandace Kling, Debbie Neft, Jeremy Shaw, and Danielle Rice.  These
exercises currently cover topics from MTH 60 and 65, and the team continues to
add problems to the library for MTH 95. The library development was a success
because of the strong collaboration and dedication of the three faculty members,
and the foundations that Jordan had laid in previous years. Jordan, Hughes,
and Yao presented their work at the STEM showcase (Rock Creek) in Fall 2013 (see
\cref{webworkposter}). It was at this showcase that the idea was hatched to
create free online homework review programs for CTE and LDC science SACs.

\begin{figure}[!htb]
	\centering
	\includegraphics[width=0.5\textwidth]{webworkposter}
	\caption{WeBWorK poster from the PCC STEM Showcase}\label{webworkposter}
\end{figure}

As time and funding progress, SAC members with the requisite coding experience
hope to add more problems to this PCC library, expanding into the arenas of MTH
courses 20, 111, 112, 243, and 244. It is important to note the level of quality
of the problems from this library. Each problem has a full walk-through solution
coded along side the question which can be put to use by faculty in a number of
ways. Each problem is given fine attention to detail so that automated feedback
messages to the students are as informative as modern technology can allow. This
high level of quality requires time and experience to achieve. However it is
necessary if any instructor hopes to use WeBWorK as a teaching tool and not just
an assessment tool.

\subsection{Concerns about DL offerings}
Each of the following three issues have been raised by SAC members, and during
the 2012/13 academic year a group of concerned faculty met to discuss them. The
meetings were informal and no binding decisions were reached.
\begin{itemize}
	\item Faculty are concerned about whether or not Distance Learning is an
	effective way to deliver math content, especially in light of the low pass
	rate statistics seen in \cref{fig:sec3:F2FandDLpassRates}. Successfully
	learning mathematics generally requires heavy active engagement. Face-to-face
	courses facilitate this engagement by requiring students to be in the physical
	presence of their instructor and fellow students. In DL courses, the
	imperative to remain engaged must come mostly from the student's own sense of
	responsibility and interest.
	\item Faculty are concerned about the quality and consistency of current DL
	courses. Some faculty rely on publisher content such as electronic versions of
	textbooks, while other faculty have created complete sets of online notes
	themselves and use e-books only as secondary resources. Instructor Chris
	Hughes serves as an advisor to online faculty creating new courses, and makes
	recommendations to improve course quality and observe accessibility standards.
	However there is no enforcement of the online advisor's recommendations.
	\item Faculty are concerned about the portion of a student's grade that may be
	computed from online homework. Compared to traditional homework, online
	homework is more readily vulnerable to cheating. With many math exercises, the
	exercise can literally be typed in to Google and the search engine itself
	provides an answer. Online homework provides fewer obstacles for a dishonest
	student to employ someone else to do their homework for them. In fact, in
	Craigslist sites nationwide, all one need do is search for `mymathlab' to find
	advertisements from those who will `take your online math course for you' at a
	cost. The Math SAC has always wanted its online courses to mirror its
	face-to-face courses, and as a consequence has never created CCOGs that treat
	face-to-face and online courses differently. This has made it difficult to
	place any cap on the portion of a grade that may be computed from online
	homework. There is also no consensus on what an appropriate cap would be.
\end{itemize}

\subsection{Recommendations}\label{other:sec:recommendations}
Our main recommendations concern how to best inform students about the
particular skills that a distance learning student should have or adopt in order
to be successful. We also recommend enacting some prerequisite items for DL
registration to help give these skills to students. Lastly there are some
recommendations that do not fit these descriptions. Many of these
recommendations hold for face-to-face courses as well, and may be repeated elsewhere in
this program review.
\begin{description}
	\item For the Math SAC:
	\begin{itemize}[label={}]
		\item \recommendation[Math SAC]{Consider how the quality of online courses
		could be improved by more effective regulation by the SAC. }
	\end{itemize}
	\item For Administration/Advising:
	\begin{itemize}[label={}]
		\item \recommendation[Math SAC, Distance Learning, Advising]{Advising and the Math SAC should collaborate to implement a WeBWorK-based review
		mechanism for would-be placement test takers.}
		\item \recommendation[Math SAC, Distance Learning, Advising]{Give students more information on
			DL responsibilities and make students
			aware of the difference in student-success statistics between DL and face-to-face courses.}
		\item \recommendation[Math SAC, Distance Learning, Advising]{Encourage students to contemplate
			why they seek to take a DL course and
			reflect upon whether it will align well with their learning style and
		personal skill sets.}
	\end{itemize}
	\item For Administration/DL/TSS:
	\begin{itemize}[label={}]
		\item \recommendation[Distance Learning, TSS]{Have the online orientation linked from the registration tool in MyPCC and
			require that students complete this orientation before registering for a DL
		class.}
		\item \recommendation[Math SAC, Distance Learning, Advising]{Include a section in the DL orientation that addresses the specific
			challenges that DL brings to mathematics courses. Perhaps only students
			seeking to register for a mathematics DL course would be required to complete
		this section.}
		\item \recommendation[TSS]{Add redundant access to the Course Information Page. Along with access
			through the online Class Schedule, the CIP could be available through MyPCC on
		the home page for a course and through Desire To Learn.}
		\item \recommendation[Math SAC, TSS]{Include a pop-up or hover-over window that is activated when a student
			tries to register for a DL MTH class that gives specific information about the
		challenges of DL Math courses. }
	\end{itemize}
	\item For Administration/Other:
	\begin{itemize}[label={}]
		\item \recommendation[Math SAC, Curriculum Committee]{Require students to demonstrate pre-requisite computer literacy skills
			such as those taught in basic internet skills (CAS 104), beginning Word (CAS
			216), beginning keyboard (CAS 121), and basic computer skills/MS Office (CAS
		133).}
		\item \recommendation[CAS SAC]{Develop and require a basic DL/computer skills competency course, possibly
		offered during week 0 of the term.  }
		\item \recommendation[Math SAC, Division Deans, Deans of Instruction]{Provide opportunities for faculty professional development in research
			design and data analysis to help with research efforts on the efficacy of
		online homework.}
		\item \recommendation[Math SAC, Division Deans, Deans of Instruction, Advising, Completion Investment Council]{Provide
			support for further development of WeBWorK related projects,
			including a larger library of math problems for courses beyond 60/65/95,
		enhancements of the WeBWorK engine, and content for placement advising/review.}
	\end{itemize}
\end{description}

\section[Curricular changes resulting from educational initiatives]{Has the SAC
 made any curricular changes as a result of exploring/adopting educational
 initiatives (e.g., Service Learning, Internationalization of the Curriculum,
 Inquiry-Based Learning, Honors, etc.)?  If so, please describe.}\label{cur:sec:curchange}

The Math SAC has made numerous substantial changes to its curriculum. Those
that are based in exploring or adopting educational initiatives are listed here. More
changes to the math curriculum are discussed in \vref{cur:sec:other}.

\subsection{MTH 111H College Algebra: Honors}\label{cur:sub:111H}

The course has been offered only at Sylvania campus---Winter 2012 (12
students), Winter 2013 (22 students), Spring 2013 (15 students), and Fall 2013
(17 students).  Ronda Lively was the instructor the first three terms, which
allowed her to evolve her materials and activities.  Ann Cary taught the
Fall 2013 term, and has collaborated closely with Ronda Lively.

The honors course must cover the same material as the regular course. It
is stressed that honors versions of a course should not be ``harder'', but
different in the use of class time and activities/assignments.  There should
also be a component of Community and Environmental Responsibility, which is a
PCC Core Outcome that is usually difficult to place in math courses.  Instructor
Lively regularly teaches MTH 111 and MTH 111H during the same term.  The same
exams were given in both courses.  There were differences in the other evaluation
criteria used in the courses.  In the MTH 111 class, students submitted take
home graded worksheets and participated in an in-class graded group activity.
The evaluation of the students in the MTH 111H class included:
\begin{itemize}
	\item a collaborative computer project involving math history and investigation
	of several applications of math;
	\item a team quiz-grading activity where each group wrote a key and grading
	rubric, then applied it to two (fictional) students' quizzes;
	\item a community tutoring project:  over several weeks, each student found someone to
	tutor in math (friend, neighbor, family member, \ldots) and then wrote a paper
	on their experience.
\end{itemize}
Since the overall student ability level was high, there was time in class to
investigate other topics of interest related to college algebra.  Each term
there were several students that enrolled because of the time slot,
not because they were strong in math.  Encouragingly, the
stronger students took the less prepared students under their wings and helped
them to be successful.

\subsection{Social justice workgroup}\label{cur:sub:socialJustic}
A Math and Social Justice workgroup was formed by Ann Cary and Emiliano Vega in
response to a national convention they attended. The group has collected and
disseminated data sets and activities to participating math instructors and has
gained interest and participants from other disciplines at PCC, as well as area
high school math instructors and community activists in Portland. More
importantly, the group has the focus of providing a forum on how to discuss
potentially sensitive subjects in a classroom setting when using application
problems and how to be more culturally and socially aware of individual students
and classes. The information they gathered has improved the pool of activities and application problems
available, improved the ability of instructors to work effectively with the
broad demographic of students and co-workers, and also continues the college's
focus on two Core Outcomes: Community and Environmental Responsibility and
Cultural Awareness. For a sample of material from this workgroup, see
\vref{app:sec:socialJustic}.

\subsection{Service learning}\label{other:sec:servicelearning}
Service Learning has been a part of many math instructors' courses at PCC, but
has been deepened through the Service Learning website
which includes additional resources and syllabi submitted
by participating instructors at PCC. In addition, Service Learning will be
added to some CCOGs evaluation criteria to encourage instructors to incorporate
Service Learning in their math classes. Jeff Pettit participated as
an observer in the Service Learning training cohort at Sylvania campus,
connecting with instructors in other disciplines and gaining an understanding of
how Service Learning is employed in other courses. This has led to new curriculum in his
Statistics courses and upper-division courses where Service Learning was not
originally employed.

\subsection{Developmental Education math study group}
A new committee was formed by the SAC to address developmental math completion
rates. The committee is researching the feasibility, cost and difficulty
associated with implementing ``pathways'' beyond the current calculus focused
MTH 60--95 courses. The committee is considering options for employing
career-based math course series and a statistics-based math course series.

\subsection{Placement test reform group}\label{other:sec:placementreform}
A committee has been formed to address placement test reform. The
group intends to better measure students' needs beyond the current math-skills
COMPASS test. We hope to find a way to measure key traits and needs of students
to connect student populations with the support needed to better guarantee
success.
% I had encouraged these guys to work with student services, who are also
% addressing these concerns.  I don't know if they are or not though.  I do
% know that student services is working with the NSF Grant proposal team on
% these issues.  Perhaps a little more should be said here?

\section[Present dual credit relationships]{Are there any courses in the program
 that are offered as Dual Credit at area High Schools?  If so, describe how
 the SAC develops and maintains relationships with the HS faculty in support of
 quality instruction. Please note any best practices you have found, or ideas
about how to strengthen this interaction.  }

During the 2012/13 academic year, PCC dual credit was awarded
for seven mathematics courses.  Classes were offered at seven high schools and
there were a total of twelve instructors certified to teach PCC dual credit
mathematics classes.  There were a total of 750 unduplicated students who
enrolled in at least one PCC dual credit mathematics class and collectively
those students earned 6032 mathematics credits through PCC.
In Fall 2012, an ad hoc committee was formed in the mathematics SAC to
investigate the status of our dual credit program.  The formation of this
committee was prompted, in part, by the discovery that several of the posted
dual credit syllabi described courses that bore little resemblance to the
course for which students were earning PCC credit.  The committee decided that
the root cause of this disconnect was a lack of robust support on our part.
Three concrete actions were taken to address the disconnect:
\begin{itemize}
	\item Each dual credit mathematics instructor was assigned a team of two support
	faculty from the mathematics departments at PCC.  Each pair of support faculty
	visited their assigned instructor at that instructor's high school.  These
	meetings were rather informal; the intent being to establish a concrete
	support team for each high school instructor.
	\item A two-day mandatory summer workshop was organized by the committee in
	conjunction with Beth Molenkamp, who at that time was the coordinator of
	PCC's dual credit program.  At the workshop each dual credit instructor was
	tasked to complete a robust (and accurate) syllabus for each of their dual
	credit classes.  The PCC faculty helped with this task and all of the dual
	credit instructors now have syllabi that truly reflect the nature of the
	course for which the students are earning PCC credit.  The remainder of the
	workshop was spent sharing resources and pedagogical tactics used by various
	PCC faculty in the courses for which dual credit is also offered.
	\item A Google Drive site was created to share resources.  Although the
	inspiration for this site was to give our dual credit faculty easy access to
	shared resources, the pooling of resources is obviously of great benefit for
	PCC faculty as well.
\end{itemize}

\section[Future dual credit relationships]{Does the SAC plan to develop any
 additional Dual Credit agreements with area high schools?  If so please
 describe.   If not, what does the SAC see as barriers to developing further dual
credit agreements. }
Students at Central Catholic High School will get their first opportunity to
earn PCC mathematics dual credit during the 2013/14 academic year.  This
adoption was coordinated through the dual credit program; that is, the Math SAC
played no active role in the creation of this dual credit agreement.

There is concern in the mathematics SAC that the state's 40-40-20 initiative,
and the accompanying bills aimed at encouraging high school students to earn
college credits, might lead to a dramatic increase in the number of high
schools offering dual credit for mathematics courses. The greatest challenge is
that there are not that many high school mathematics instructors who meet PCC's
qualifications to teach post-100 level mathematics courses.  We are concerned
that the day might come where we are pressured to lower those standards or, of
even more concern, we are pressured to start awarding PCC dual credit for
developmental mathematics courses (MTH 95 or below).

\subsubsection{Addendum}
As feared, we are now being asked to allow high school instructors who do not satisfy minimum
qualifications to teach transfer level courses. As currently proposed, a high
school instructor who does not meet minimum qualifications would be paired with
an ``instructor of record'' who does meet the qualifications.  There is also a
possibility that after a time the high school instructor will be deemed to have
``demonstrated competency'' and will at that point be allowed to become the
instructor of record based upon that criterion.  We are concerned by this
proposal on many levels.

The first is fundamental: this proposal undermines our established ``minimum qualifications.''
While we realize that the pressure to make these changes originates from the State of Oregon and other outside parties, we
need to be mindful that our accreditation is also at stake.

Additionally, there are fears that the concept will seep into the manner in which we staff classes
on our own campuses; an alternative minimum qualification such as ``demonstrated competency''
cannot be exclusive to teachers in the high school classrooms.

Finally, if the concept takes off at the dual credit level, there are serious workload concerns
for the faculty at PCC. The title of ``instructor of record'' comes with a serious amount of
responsibility and accountability; authentic and ongoing involvement in these courses will
require time from a faculty that is already stretched for time. We are presently being asked
to revamp our entire DE curriculum (and are actively involved in that pursuit), and adding
increased dual credit involvement to our list of duties will take away time from that agenda.
Priorities need to be established. If the college chooses to pursue this change in dual credit
policy we hope that the changes are instituted in a manageable and reputable way.

\section[Other significant curricular changes]{Identify and explain any other
 significant curricular changes that have been made since the last
 review.}\label{cur:sec:other}

The industrious Math SAC has made numerous changes to its curriculum that stemmed from a variety
of sources other than broad educational initiatives. (Curricular changes
stemming from broad educational initiatives are discussed in
\vref{cur:sec:curchange}.) These changes often arose from the perceived needs
of our students, innovative ideas from our faculty, evolutions in technology,
administrative restructuring,
and good old-fashioned housekeeping.

\subsection{MTH 20 moved to the Math SAC from the DE SAC}
The MTH 20 curriculum was moved into the Math SAC from the DE SAC in Fall 2012,
bringing all math curriculum under the same SAC.  This move was meant to help
create consistency in the CCOGs across the spectrum of math courses, as well as
ensure that the MTH 20 curriculum is adequately preparing students for the next
math course.

Sylvania Campus, which had a separate DE Math department altogether,
transitioned its DE Math instructors into the Math Department in Fall 2013.  A
Math Integration Work Group was formed and charged with creating a seamless path
for this transition.  With the DE Math instructors in the Math SAC and the
current college focus on success in pre-college math courses, the Math SAC's focus is
on producing high-yield instructional practices, student success, and completion
across the span of math courses offered by the college.

\subsection{MTH 20 proposed credit change: 4- to 5-credit}\label{cur:sub:mth20}
MTH 20 (Basic Math) is a content-heavy course that covers topics such as
fractions, decimals, signed number operations, geometry, proportions, and
percents.  It can be argued that the amount of material covered in MTH 20 is
greater than in any of our other mathematics courses.  At times, instructors are
forced to either minimize required topics or occasionally cut them entirely due
to time constraints.  Because of this, for years many MTH 20 instructors have
wanted to increase the number of credits for the course.

In October 2012, the SAC received a memo from the DOIs related to class sizes in
which we were encouraged to consider converting MTH 20 from 4- to 5-credits;  a
subcommittee was formed by the SAC to investigate the benefits and
consequences of increasing the number of credits.  The committee
looked into the financial aid impact on students, the impact on
degree/certificate programs, and the impact on classroom availability.  It also
rewrote the CCOG to include study skills and increase the emphasis on reading
graphs and geometry in the course.

In April 2013, the Mathematics SAC approved the conversion of MTH 20 from a
4-credit course to a 5-credit course.  The conversion was then approved by the
Curriculum Committee in November 2013.  Unfortunately, the current DOIs denied
the recommendation in late November 2013;  since the original recommendation came to
the Math SAC in 2012, the college leadership has changed at many levels, and
with these changes have come changes in perspectives and goals for the math
curriculum.
The Math SAC is currently engaged in reevaluating and reorganizing pre-college
level math at all levels; it is highly likely that the first course will
require 5 credits for optimal student success.

\subsection{MTH 60/65/70/95 curriculum alignment}
The Math SAC recognized that students successfully completing MTH 65 often had
difficulty passing MTH 95.  The same was true for students transitioning between
MTH 95 and MTH 111.

It was thought that creating more continuity between the MTH 60/65 series and
MTH 95 would improve student success.  To this end, during 2008/09, a committee
was created to redesign the 60/65/95 curriculum with an eye toward carefully
preparing students for the rigor of college level mathematics.  While MTH 60,
MTH 65 and MTH 95 had been traditionally taught as algebraically focused
classes, the committee adjusted the curriculum to reflect the need for students
to be able to understand mathematical information via the `rule of four':
algebraically, graphically, numerically and verbally.  This was done to prepare
students for the demands of college level math and to align with the best
practices of our field.  Importance was also placed on the use of a graphing
calculator in MTH 95 to aid in this.  These changes were also reflected in the
intermediary course in the MTH 60/65/95 series: MTH 70.

As with all curricular changes, there continues to be a need for ensuring that
all of the instructors receive the necessary communication and support in
implementing these changes.  This is especially true for the part-time
instructors who are teaching a large proportion of the MTH 60--95 courses.  However,
with the nature of the part-time instructor's working conditions, this continues
to be a challenge.  The Math SAC requests more support from the administration
to provide the necessary funding for part-time instructors to attend
course-specific meetings similar to the one held for MTH 95 instructors at the
Sylvania Campus prior to the Fall 2013 term.

\subsection{Replaced MTH 111A/111B/111C with MTH 105 and MTH 111}
In 1997 the Math SAC split MTH 111 into three courses in order to target
different student populations: MTH 111A for liberal art students, MTH 111B for
business and other non-technical majors, and MTH 111C for Science and
Engineering.  In our last Program Review, \cite{mathprogramreview2003},
it was mentioned that we eliminated MTH 111A and resurrected MTH 105 (see
\cite{mathprogramreview2003} page 19).
Since then, MTH 111B and 111C have merged again into MTH 111.

The CCOGs for MTH 111B and MTH 111C had grown
increasingly similar; since both were prerequisites for the same courses
(MTH 243 and MTH 112), they needed to cover the same content.  MTH 111B had a
reputation for being an easier course and many instructors noticed that students
in MTH 112 who had taken MTH 111B instead of MTH 111C were less prepared.  Since
the two courses no longer served different purposes, and were creating problems
with student preparation for subsequent courses, we decided to unify MTH 111B and MTH 111C into a single
college algebra course starting in Fall 2012: MTH 111.

\subsection{MTH 243 credit change: 4- to 5-credit}\label{other:sec:mth243}
The Math SAC increased credits for MTH 243 (Statistics I) from 4-credits to
5-credits for several reasons, most of which were related to a need to increase
the contact hours from four hours to five hours.  In order to address the needs
of future coursework in statistics as well as sufficient coverage of material
for transfer to many universities, it was essential to add more material to the
4-credit MTH 243 course.  Increasing the credit hours allowed for the necessary
contact time to cover such material appropriately.


Five contact hours allows for more integration of technology into the classroom,
since these technology skills are best learned with hands-on guidance from
the instructor. Formerly, it
was often difficult to have meaningful technology-oriented statistical classroom
exercises due to the lack of contact time.

The change to five contact hours also gives sufficient time to fully engage the
students with critical thinking exercises and quantitative and statistical
literacy discussions.

\subsection[Creation of AMP/MTH008]{Creation of two accelerated review courses
(also referred to as the Accelerated Math Program, or AMP) MTH 07 and MTH 08}
\label{other:sec:amp}
\begin{description}
	\item[MTH 07: Accelerated Basic Math Review]  This course presents a review of
	basic math skills and provides the opportunity for guided practice.  Topics
	include operations with whole numbers, fractions, decimals, proportions and
	percents.

	\item[MTH 08: Accelerated Introductory Algebra Review] This course presents a
	brief review of basic algebra skills and provides the opportunity for guided
	practice.  Topics include real number operations, manipulating linear
	expressions, solving linear equations, and graphing linear equations in two
	variables.
\end{description}

These two courses were designed to meet the needs of the following two student
populations:
\begin{itemize}
	\item students who have previously learned the material and are able to test
	into the next level of math as a result of a brief review;
	\item students who have difficulty with the materials and can work on a variety
	of the regular course material in advance of taking the regular course.
\end{itemize}

Both courses are offered for one week in-between terms and are 15 non-credit lab
hours.  They are taught with a combination of mini lectures and computer
practice/instruction.  At the completion of each course, students retake the
COMPASS placement test.  Each term a significant number of students taking these
courses have placed into a MTH course above their previous COMPASS placement.

Sections have been offered at Rock Creek, Southeast, and Cascade,
with most offerings at Cascade, where the courses were initially
conceived and implemented by math instructors Holli Adams and  Michael
Marciniak. Data from the sections taught at
Cascade Campus since 2010 can be viewed in \vref{app:sec:ampdata}.

\subsection{Clarified CCOG requirements and addenda}
It was found that there were numerous discrepancies among different sections of
the same course having different instructors regarding the material being
presented. In an effort to ensure that students completing different sections of
the same course had similar mathematical competencies, the SAC determined that
communicating the requirements for a course needed to be made more concise.
Also, since the curriculum had significantly changed, we wanted instructors who
had previously taught the course to know about these changes.  The CCOG for each
course was intentionally written more clearly and now includes specific minimum
requirements for testing and grading.  In addition, each CCOG now has an
addendum that clearly shows examples of what is expected in terms of content,
mathematical notation and presentation as well as well-defined assessment
strategies.  This practice has now been adopted for most of our CCOGs.

\subsection{Elimination of MTH 91 and MTH 92}
MTH 91 and MTH 92 were created to address the issue of the high failure rate in
MTH 95 by splitting up the content of MTH 95 into two terms.  The course
sequence was discontinued after data showed that students taking MTH 91 and 92
were not successful in the subsequent course, MTH 111; it was found that after
taking these slower paced classes, the students were not prepared for the speed
of the MTH 111 course.

\subsection{Changes in MTH 251--254}
The calculus series has been more strongly split into Calculus I/II and Calculus
III/Vector Calculus I by requesting the publisher split the current text into two sections.
This change altered the need for Maple in MTH 251 and MTH 252.  Maple is an
expensive graphing software package that students buy for one year but generally
use only for Vector Calculus I. Attaching Maple to the new second half of the book
solved the issue of students losing access to it if they took more than one year
to complete the Calculus series.

\subsection{Math study skills material development}\label{cur:sub:studyskills}
Research has shown that students with strong study skills are more successful in
their academic pursuits than their counterparts; however, many
students entering developmental mathematics courses lack these skills.
In an effort to help students build a stronger awareness of how a successful
student studies, Math SAC member Jessica Bernards from the Rock Creek Campus
created a Math Study Skills program to be used in our developmental math
courses.  This program consists of seven topics all relating to study skills
specific to mathematics: how learning math is different, resources available for
help at PCC, time management, listening and note-taking skills, how to do
homework, test taking strategies, and overcoming math and test anxiety.

Each lesson has three parts: a short video to be watched by students
outside of class, a student worksheet to be completed in conjunction with the
video, and an in-class discussion led by the instructor. Additionally, each
topic has quotes from successful students which help strengthen the ideas in
each video.  Many math instructors across all campuses piloted the program in
the Spring 2013 and are continuing to use it this Fall 2013. For Winter 2014,
fourteen DE math instructors have reported that they will be using it. The study
skills website can be found at \cite{studyskills}.

\subsection{MTH 111/112 document project}\label{cur:sec:111/112doc}
In Winter 2010, Math SAC member Chris Hughes proposed that the SAC write its own
MTH 111/112 textbook. This idea arose from a general frustration with
commercially available textbooks for this sequence.  Available books tend to
fall on one end or another of a spectrum ranging from template-based and lacking
in conceptual understanding to abstract and lacking in guidance for students.
We seek something with better balance.  Such a
textbook could also be provided to students at a much lower cost than any commercial
product.

Initially over 10 members of the Math SAC became involved, submitting ideas and
small sections of what might someday become a textbook.  As time passed, four
SAC members (Chris Hughes, Alex Jordan, Ann Cary, and Steve Simonds) maintained
serious interest in the project.  Piecing together earlier work from the larger
group, expanding on that work, and editing, these four produced a rough draft
chapter representing about 10\% of a final product. (Given that this draft would
need editing, we estimate that it represents 5\% of the work necessary for
completion.)

At this point the four remaining editors put active work on hold until some level of
release time can be secured that would enable completion in a timely manner.  A
completed textbook for the entire sequence could be drafted with three faculty
taking one-third release time for two consecutive terms.  An additional such
term would provide for peripherals such as guided lecture notes, an online
homework library, and LiveScribe videos. The progress to date can be found at
\cite{mth111project}.
% Math 111 textbook, recommendations/request:  I hope that this is among your
% recommendations in chapter 6?

\subsection{Supplemental course packets}
Textbooks that the Math SAC selects for courses often have gaps when
compared to the CCOGs for that course.  Supplemental course packets were created
to fill in the gaps and are required for those specific classes.  These include
explanations of topics not covered in the textbook as well as example
problems to fully cover a topic that might be lacking in the textbook examples.
Supplemental course packets have been created for MTH 60, 65, 95, 111 and 112,
and can be (freely) downloaded from the Math department's web site
\cite{pccmathdept}.

\subsection{MTH 251 lab manual}
Since the late 1990s, MTH 251 has been taught in a lecture/lab format.  From
that time through the late 2000s the materials used during the lab portion of
the course were frequently modified.  By 2009 the lab manual had
devolved into a collection of random problems and there was simply no connection
between one set of problems and the next; there also were limited central themes to any one set of problems.

In Summer 2009 faculty member Steve Simonds rewrote the lab manual from
scratch.  The problem sets were written in a deliberate way to help students
develop deep understanding of key concepts covered in the course.  The majority
of the problems from the prior lab manual were then shuttled to the appendix as
practice problems for outside of class.  All of the practice problems were fully
keyed so that the students could continue thinking about the ideas (and
practicing the skills) covered in lab and then determine for themselves if they
had come to reasonable conclusions.

\subsection{MTH 105 course material flexibility}
Each math course has traditionally used the same SAC approved textbook
district-wide.  The Math SAC broke from this tradition and voted to allow MTH
105 instructors to choose their own course material, provided it meets the
approval of the MTH 105 CCOG committee.  Unlike other math classes, MTH 105 is not a
prerequisite for other math courses, and is a terminal math course for many
of our students.  Each term, the instructor selects three to five topics from a
list of 17.  This allows the instructors flexibility to teach material
appropriate for the student population of each class.

\subsection{ALC math courses}
The ALC math courses are self-paced pre-college math courses\footnote{The Alternative
Learning Center (ALC) was an old name for the current Sylvania Student Learning Center.}.
They are designed for students to work independently at their own pace and allow
them to focus on specific topics.  Consequently, a wide range of students take
these courses: students who are afraid to take a math class and want to get back
into math slowly; students who failed a math class once or several times; students
who feel that they placed too low on the placement test and just need a review;
students who want to get through the material quickly; and international
students who know the math but not the English terminology for it.  At Sylvania,
the majority of students who take ALC Math are students who have failed math classes,
sometimes many times.

Historically, the ALC math courses have been offered at Sylvania Campus, housed
by the Developmental Education SAC, and covered math content through MTH 65.
Since Summer 2012, they have also been offered at Southeast.  Since
Winter 2013, ALC is housed in the Math SAC and, since Fall 2013, it also
includes MTH 95. For a more thorough look at these changes see
\vref{app:sec:alc}. Considerations are currently being made to find ways to have
ALC Math at Cascade and Rock Creek.  Students from these campuses are
already using ALC Math at Sylvania and Southeast and are undergoing the hardship
of travel just so they can take these courses.

Enrollments at Sylvania and Southeast both show that there is clearly a need for
these courses.  Research done by PCC's Institutional Effectiveness on data from
five years at Sylvania shows that students who complete ALC Math successfully
pass their math classes at a higher rate than before taking ALC Math  (see
\vref{app:sec:effectivenessALC}).

\recommendation[Math SAC, Deans of Instruction, Deans of Students, Advising, Completion Investment Council]{We recommend using the ALC
math classes as an early intervention when students fail math classes.}

At Sylvania, for instance, some full-time advisors have familiarized themselves with the ALC math courses and
suggest them to students early on.  Others send students to the Math Coordinator for
further advising regarding successfully completing math classes.

\subsection{MTH 84: Introduction to \LaTeX}\label{other:sec:mth84}
In Spring 2010, Math SAC members Alex Jordan and Chris Hughes proposed a pilot
course to teach the typesetting software \LaTeX.  The experimental, one-credit course was piloted for
three consecutive terms (Fall 2010, Winter 2011, and Spring 2011) and then
adopted by the SAC as MTH 84.  The course was first run (as MTH 84) in Winter
2012, and has run each term since with one section per term. MTH 84 is a one-credit
pass/no-pass course. Its modality has been DL, although the CCOG does not
prevent a face-to-face version.  The course serves students and faculty alike in many areas.
\LaTeX\ is a useful tool in math, the sciences, in graphic design, and in
publishing; it can easily be used to typeset internal documents, such as \href{http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XhduoHOYXUY}{\color{black}Program Reviews}.

\subsection{MTH 76 Math SAC approval}
The SAC approved the CCOG for a one-credit `Introduction to GeoGebra' course. The course is
planned to run as a pilot course in Spring 2014 and Summer 2014, with tentative
approval to let it run as a permanent course Fall 2014.  The audience for the
course includes PCC students, PCC instructors who wish to use it as a teaching
tool, and K--12 teachers who wish to use it as a teaching tool.  The course was
requested by high school teachers participating in the Dual Credit workshop in Summer 2013.

\subsection[ALEKS pilot]{Pilot using ALEKS technology in two math courses during AY 2012/13}\label{sec3:subset:alekspilot}
ALEKS technology requires students to complete each mathematics topic
successfully, keeps track of student work time, provides instant feedback,
routinely assesses students and requires them to revisit previously learned
material.  It allows students to study a variety of topics at a time and
minimizes practice of mastered material. Two pilots of ALEKS in MTH 20 and MTH
112 were conducted.

\begin{description}
	\item[MTH 20: Basic Mathematics] ALEKS was incorporated into six online and six
	on-campus MTH 20 classes.  Data was compared to the previous year's MTH 20
	classes taught by the same two instructors, Diane Edwards and Marilyn
	Marshall.  On average, courses using ALEKS had noticeably higher pass rates
	than non-ALEKS courses.  For example, there was an 11\% increase in pass rates
	in on-campus ALEKS classes in Fall 2012 compared to non-ALEKS Fall 2011
	classes.  Both on-campus and DL classes showed increased passing rates using
	ALEKS.  In addition, a few students each term were able to complete two
	courses during one term, finishing Basic Mathematics early and then
	successfully completing MTH 60.

	\item[MTH 112: Elementary Functions] ALEKS was incorporated into one Elementary
	Functions section and compared with two traditional sections, all taught by
	faculty member Tammy Louie.  In this small sample, both the grade distribution
	and pass rates were similar.  However the student retention rate in the ALEKS
	class was 17.3\% higher than in the non-ALEKS classes.

\end{description}

In both pilots students were observed to enjoy using ALEKS and increase their
study time while using ALEKS.  More detailed data can be found in the
\vref{app:sec:aleks} concerning both pilot projects. These pilots of ALEKS had
noticeable success with student perception and involvement.  Further
exploration of ALEKS technology should be pursued as a possible option to
improving student success in mathematics courses.

\subsection{MTH 112 formula sheet}
The SAC approved a standardized ``formula sheet'' for use in MTH 112.  Math SAC
member Wendy Fresh revised and submitted a formula sheet edited from one
provided by SAC member Pete Haberman.  The page was added to the course CCOGs to
help guide instructors and clarify evaluation expectations.

\subsection{MTH 212 proficiency exam}
With SAC approval, the MTH 211--213 instructors added a basic skills proficiency
exam to MTH 212 that must be passed with no less than a 90\% in order to pass
the course.  MTH 212 is the second of a three part series of courses for
students preparing to enter a teacher education field. The proficiency exam
covers basic operations on integers, fractions, decimals, and percents.
Although there is a MTH 95 prerequisite for the MTH 211--213 series, many of the
students do not remember these basic operations. Since these are topics covered
in MTH 212, it was felt that holding the students responsible for the basic
skills would help them grasp the concepts with more success.  This approach has
been adopted by several of the Oregon community colleges and four-year
universities that offer the MTH 211--213 sequence.

\subsection{Casio Classpad}
The SAC approved of the Casio Classpad as an additional recommended graphing
calculator in MTH 95 and Lower Division Transfer courses. In addition, the CCOG
for MTH 93, the one-credit graphing calculator class, was revised to reflect topics
specific to the Casio Classpad. Faculty members Tammy Louie and Alex Jordan
created a PCC-specific user guide for the Classpad, which is available for
download (along with earlier PCC calculator manuals) at the math department web
site \cite{pccmathdept}.

\subsection{Piloting of DE courses geared to a specific subset of CTE students}
In 2009, Choul Wou, a Perkins advisor, asked Michele Marden collaborate with
her to create a reference document to support CTE students in the Building
Inspection, Interior Design, Architecture, and Drafting programs. There was a
particular need to bridge from MTH 65 coursework to ARCH 122. Michele observed
an ARCH 122 section and a document was created. Soon after, Michele was
approved to teach two sections of MTH 60 and one section of MTH 65 reserved for
CTE students in the programs stated above. The course focus was limited by the
requirements of the CCOGs, but whenever possible, material was geared to
support the mathematical needs for these programs. This experience led to the
awareness that the reference document needed significant revision; however, due
to the development of CTE-focused courses, the reference document was not
updated. The specialized courses were discontinued due to lack of enrollment.