General education Universities & colleges Mathematics education
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
Spring 2020
Department
Mathematics & Statistics, School of Business
Abstract
This article details the adaptation of the FOCUS (Fundamentals of Conceptual Understanding and Success) model (Mireles, Acee, & Gerber, 2014) implemented to improve student success in general education and developmental mathematics at a four-year rural university. The model has been demonstrated successful when implemented at a four-year large urban university in the south. The modification of the model described herein has also addressed another standard approach for improving student success used by many postsecondary institutions: drop-in Mathematics Tutoring Centers (MTCs), which provide extra learning support for students enrolled in developmental and general education mathematics courses (Gallimore & Steward, 2014). This article details the development and implementation of a modified FOCUS model to improve student success, specifically in mathematics. Students' success before and after the changes are implemented is compared. Findings indicate that the redesign via a modified FOCUS model addressed many barriers to MTC use and coincided with an increase in positive student outcomes in developmental and general education mathematics courses
First Page
20
Last Page
25
Volume
43
Issue
3
ISSN
08943907
Recommended Citation
Myers, J. L., Brown, M., & Spittler-Brown, K. (2020). Ideas in Practice: A Modified FOCUS Model. Journal of Developmental Education, 43(3), 20–25.