Before attending the summer remediation program, Boot Camp, math was student Tammy Moore’s most difficult subject. Upon entering the program this year, she took the University’s assessment test, COMPASS, and then spent eight weeks working on a computerized program called ALEKS.  The program let her work at her own pace and was tailored to fit her needs and level of understanding. Her professor, Frank Palocyi, acted as a tutor and was available to assist Moore when needed.

“The summer program worked really well for me because ALEKS was tailored to fit my individual needs,” Moore said. “It was also really easy to see my progress, which helped tremendously. I could visualize my progress and was encouraged to continue to do well.” 

The summer refresher course helped Moore, and others in her class, skip developmental math classes.

“It’s exciting that I won’t need any further developmental math courses,” Moore said. “By completing Boot Camp and getting a refresher on basic math skills in a short period of time, I can move through my degree more quickly and graduate on time.”

Incoming Kent State at Salem students were given the rare opportunity to participate in the Achieving College Success Program Summer “Boot Camp” free of charge. Kent State Salem was one of only four higher education institutions selected to pilot the program.

Boot Camp is a summer remediation program for recent high school graduates and returning students who have never attended college, or have not recently attended. The program is also for students who have been unsuccessful in a developmental math, reading and writing.  The students are benchmarked against the Compass, the University’s assessment test, which they took upon entering the program.

Throughout the program students were asked for feedback regarding how well they liked the program. Interviewed students displayed an overwhelming satisfaction and appreciation for the program. 

The students who participated in the reading portion of the session said they felt better prepared for the Fall semester after completing Boot Camp.  The program’s coordinator, Academic Advisor Terry Hutson was excited at the success of the program. “Overall the results and the feedback were extremely positive,” she said.  “Having received the summer training, students who participated in the program will certainly be more prepared as they enter their Fall 2011 semester.”

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Photo Caption:
Summer Math Bootcamp Lecturer, Frank Palocyi, currently teaching ALEKS Math sections at both Kent Salem & East Liverpool and Tammy Moore, a successful Bootcamp student.