Why students fail
Elizabeth Gunn
Issue date: 6/4/07 Section: News
Out of 57 students who started the semester in Lloyd Aquino's English 1A classes, only 39 will receive a letter grade at the end of the semester. And in Debbie Williams' Math 71 class, roughly 65 percent are passing.
Any student who plans on transferring to a four-year university or is seeking their associate's degree at Mt. SAC has to pass these classes with a C or better. So why are students failing?
Dyrell Foster, 34, the director of student life at Mt. SAC, says it is because students "don't feel connected to the college."
Dr. Betsy Fields, a counselor at Mt. SAC, thinks students just do not have the commitment or the drive to achieve their goals.
Debbie Williams, department chair for math and computer sciences, says students take on too much and do not do the work required to pass the course.
Mt. SAC student Maria Castaneda, 26, is taking 17 units. Kaylee Jones, 19, is taking 13 units. And Gustavo Reyes, 24, is taking 10 units.
Students have several resources to help them succeed including extended hours at the learning lab, the learning assistance center, tutorial services, and the library. Students also have access to counselors, the advising center, the transfer center, and office hours with their professors.
For math students enrolled in lower level math courses (under 100) they have the M.A.R.C, which has a number of resources including books, video's, CDs, calculators, tutors, worksheets, and a person with master's degree in mathematics to help students. For those in upper level math courses (100 and above) there is the math lab which is staffed with tutors.
Students enrolled in English classes have the Writing and Reading Assistance Center, or the W.R.A.C, available to them, as well as their professor's office hours.
Incoming freshman are also offered New Student Welcome Day. The event was held for the first time on August 13, 2006 for incoming freshman for the 2006-2007 school year. Activities included a faculty panel to discuss what incoming students should expect from their professors, a student panel to discuss what to expect from college life in general, and a tour of the campus so students would be familiar with the campus. The event also provided students with the ability to meet new people.
Any student who plans on transferring to a four-year university or is seeking their associate's degree at Mt. SAC has to pass these classes with a C or better. So why are students failing?
Dyrell Foster, 34, the director of student life at Mt. SAC, says it is because students "don't feel connected to the college."
Dr. Betsy Fields, a counselor at Mt. SAC, thinks students just do not have the commitment or the drive to achieve their goals.
Debbie Williams, department chair for math and computer sciences, says students take on too much and do not do the work required to pass the course.
Mt. SAC student Maria Castaneda, 26, is taking 17 units. Kaylee Jones, 19, is taking 13 units. And Gustavo Reyes, 24, is taking 10 units.
Students have several resources to help them succeed including extended hours at the learning lab, the learning assistance center, tutorial services, and the library. Students also have access to counselors, the advising center, the transfer center, and office hours with their professors.
For math students enrolled in lower level math courses (under 100) they have the M.A.R.C, which has a number of resources including books, video's, CDs, calculators, tutors, worksheets, and a person with master's degree in mathematics to help students. For those in upper level math courses (100 and above) there is the math lab which is staffed with tutors.
Students enrolled in English classes have the Writing and Reading Assistance Center, or the W.R.A.C, available to them, as well as their professor's office hours.
Incoming freshman are also offered New Student Welcome Day. The event was held for the first time on August 13, 2006 for incoming freshman for the 2006-2007 school year. Activities included a faculty panel to discuss what incoming students should expect from their professors, a student panel to discuss what to expect from college life in general, and a tour of the campus so students would be familiar with the campus. The event also provided students with the ability to meet new people.
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