Cleveland State CC Course Redesign Project Powered by Pearson's MyMathLab Wins Bellwether Award

Boston (PRWEB) February 17, 2009 -- The Community College Futures Assembly recently awarded its 2009 Instructional Programs & Services Bellwether Award to Cleveland State Community College for the institution's course redesign project, an innovative developmental math program that has proven to enhance student outcomes.

In 2008, Cleveland State Community College's Math Department redesigned its developmental courses to focus on personalized learning and instruction, solely using Pearson's MyMathLab (http://www.mymathlab.com/) solution to administer online homework and testing.

After the redesign, Cleveland State student results soared (http://thencat.org/Newsletters/Jan09.htm#1):

• 47 percent more students passed their developmental math courses prepared to enter college-level math;

• 81 percent of developmental studies students completed college-level math courses, compared to 70 percent of other students; and

• 72 percent of students earned an A, B, or C in their developmental math courses, a 31 percent increase in course completion rates.

"We redesigned our math courses by putting the students to work in computer classrooms and a large computer lab. In this approach we have used MyMathLab exclusively, and it has worked extremely well. We use 100 percent online homework and grading, which gives the students instant feedback and frees the instructors to spend their time helping students," said John Squires, Cleveland State's Math Department Chair.

"As a result, student success and learning has increased dramatically. Because it is very user-friendly, MyMathLab has been a major factor in the success of our program. It provides a quality online learning environment where students can succeed," Squires added.

The redesign, funded by a Tennessee Board of Regents grant, also increased section offerings, reduced class sizes, improved schedule flexibility, and decreased institutional costs.

"With more than 40 percent of community college students taking remedial courses, the positive results from Cleveland State's successful developmental math redesign program reinforces Pearson's commitment to innovative approaches to content and delivery methods. With MyMathLab, more students are staying in school, reducing their college costs and mastering important math concepts," said Greg Tobin, President of Mathematics in Pearson's Arts and Sciences Division. He added, "MyMathLab offers students the ability to learn at their own pace, in their own style, which is particularly effective for developmental student populations, who typically need more flexibility in their course work."

Nationwide more than 1.5 million students benefited from MyMathLab's unique approach to learning in 2008, with 50.6 million assignments graded through the system. For more information on MyMathLab, visit www.mymathlab.com or http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCOT6i20j48.

About Pearson - Pearson (NYSE:PSO), the global leader in education and education technology, reaches and engages today's digital natives with effective and personalized learning, as well as dedicated professional development for their teachers. This commitment is demonstrated in the company's investment in innovative print and digital education materials for preK through college, student information systems and learning management systems, teacher professional development, career certification programs, and testing and assessment products that set the standard for the industry. The company's respected brands include Scott Foresman, Prentice Hall, Addison Wesley, Benjamin Cummings, PEMSolutions, Stanford 10, SuccessNet, MyLabs, PowerSchool, SuccessMaker, and many others. Pearson's comprehensive offerings help inform targeted instruction and intervention so that success is within reach of every student at every level of education. Pearson's commitment to education for all is supported by the global philanthropic initiatives of the Pearson Foundation. Pearson's other primary businesses include the Financial Times Group and the Penguin Group. For more information, go to www.pearson.com.

Contact:

Stacy Skelly

202-434-0986

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