GCC Launches Effort to Hasten Student Success

BATAVIA, NY (05/29/2015)(readMedia)-- Motivated students ready to advance their college English skills have a new opportunity this fall at Genesee Community College. The College is launching an Accelerated Learning Program (ALP) that's been successfully piloted elsewhere. The program allows students not quite ready for College Composition (ENG 101) to take an introductory course (ENG 100) at the same time. By completing both classes in one semester, the students advance their progress toward earning a degree.

Research has shown that students who have to complete developmental classes such as ENG 100 can become discouraged and are less likely to complete a degree. By pairing ENG 100 with ENG 101, the College hopes to foster greater student success. GCC adapted its program from similar ones that have been successful at other schools including the Community College of Baltimore County in Maryland, Mills College of Oakland, and the California Acceleration Project.

The ALP section of ENG 100 will be limited to a maximum of 12 students. The class will be conducted more like a workshop where students can hone basic grammar and punctuation skills, discuss ENG 101 assignments and prepare for the material that will be covered in ENG 101. They participate in ENG 101 with other students, covering the same material as in every section of ENG 101, earning three credits and fulfilling a general education requirement.

"This is a great opportunity for students to achieve success more quickly," said Assistant Professor of English JoNelle Toriseva. "We've seen other schools have great success with this model, so we're excited to offer it at GCC." Toriseva has taught this method at Mills College where it has been used for decades.

To qualify for ALP, students must have:

• Scored a 77 or higher on the COMPASS Reading placement test (COR1) or be reading exempt

• Scored 55-69 on the COMPASS English/Writing Test (COW1)

• Be self-motivated and hard working

Students can contact their advisor to find out if they are eligible.

"With ALP we can help more students be successful and that is our ultimate goal," said Dr. Tom Priester, Director of Transitional Studies at GCC.

The ALP program at GCC has benefitted from collaboration with other SUNY schools as well. Faculty from Rockland Community College conducted a workshop on acceleration for GCC faculty and GCC is participating with Rockland in an Innovative Instruction Technology Grant (IITG).

For more information, contact Marketing Communications Associate Director Donna Rae Sutherland at (585) 343-0055 ext. 6616, or via email: dsutherland@genesee.edu.

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