A r c h i v e d  I n f o r m a t i o n

Audience Underprepared college students interested in pursuing science-based careers who are programmed by their academic advisors to take a preparatory course in science.

Description PASS is composed of a preparatory science course and a special counseling seminar. It is designed to address both aspects of student failure: academic underpreparation and social integration into college life. Both components are taught in tandem. Academic preparation includes problem-solving using chemistry and physics content. The curriculum is divided into cycles, each built around a single topic. A general problem set related to the topic and an illustrative lab experiment are introduced. Students perform the experiment, analyze the data obtained, work on a problem set based on the experiment, and take a quiz. Integration into college life is accomplished through the counseling seminar, which is designed to promote the student's ability to monitor, evaluate and adjust their behavior in order to achieve both their academic and personal goals. Using their experience with the science course, students learn how to manage their academic lives, assess their progress, and take responsibility for their actions rather than blaming circumstances. Learner activities emphasize problem-solving approaches in an interactive participatory setting. Management and staff activities include training sessions in the start-up phase of the project and consultative and feedback processes among the various project team members to ensure the student's individual needs are met. Program supervision and management takes 3-4 hours per week for each active staff member. Student recruitment is routine after the first year of operation. PASS addresses National Educational Goals 3 and 5.

Evidence of Effectiveness Claims of effectiveness were tested on data obtained between 1989 through 1992. Results showed that students enrolled in PASS have a higher retention rate than the general college population, performance level in PASS is a strong predictor of future performance, and successful participants developed the positive behaviors and attitudes that lead to future success.

Requirements Faculty interested in collaborating to meet the needs of underprepared students. Routine lab facilities, equipment and supplies sufficient to meet the science syllabus.

Costs There is no cost for installation or supervision of the program. Recurring operating costs are for instruction, training and supplies based on one section per semester. When science faculty teach the section as part of their regular course load, the program operates at a considerably lower cost.

Services Materials, staff development, and technical assistance are available for a fee.

Contact

Michael Weiner, Professor, Chemistry Department, (212) 650-8337 or Millicent Roth, Professor, Department of Special Programs, (212) 650-6768, City College of New York, New York, NY 10031. FAX (212) 650-6107.

Developmental Funding: USDOE, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, National Science Foundation
PEP No. 93-18R (4/1/94)

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[Polar Regions, Project]

[Relationships and Math-Friendly Physical Science (RAMPS)]