ERIC Number: ED200075
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 1980-Dec
Pages: 194
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
CAUSE Grant SER77-06227. Final Report.
Hunter, Jacqueline; And Others
The implementation and evaluation of a project at Xavier University of Louisiana that was designed to increase performance and academic persistence in entry-level mathematics and science courses are described. The University's CAUSE Project was a cooperative effort by the departments of biology, chemistry, mathematics, and physics. Strategies of the project were to: develop a mechanism whereby the department assumed responsibility for choosing content and deciding pacing for entry-level courses; develop detailed prescriptions for and administer final exams to assess progress from year to year; and develop a set of alternate pathways for learning content objectives. Each of four departments have developed and refined student handbooks containing content objectives, related sample problems, and a list of alternate learning aids for each topic; developed common final course examinations; developed and field tested at least five Piagetian-based laboratory experiments designed to promote analytical thinking skills; and jointly planned, renovated, and furnished a multidepartmental Alternate Pathway Learning Center. Among the results of the project are that the chemistry and physics departments increased the percentage of students completing both semesters with a grade C or better. Results for the other departments are also presented. A detailed outline of implementation activities and extensive appended materials on the project are included. (SW)
Descriptors: Academic Achievement, Academic Persistence, Achievement Tests, Biology, Black Colleges, Chemistry, Cognitive Objectives, College Mathematics, College Science, College Students, Course Content, Critical Thinking, Departments, Developmental Studies Programs, Educational Assessment, Educational Objectives, Higher Education, Introductory Courses, Learning Centers (Classroom), Physics, Program Evaluation, Program Implementation, Quantitative Tests, Science Departments, Science Tests, Student Evaluation, Test Construction
Publication Type: Reports - Descriptive; Tests/Questionnaires; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: National Science Foundation, Washington, DC.
Authoring Institution: Xavier Univ. of Louisiana, New Orleans.
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A