Title V supports math programs

An educational excellence project, Title V is a grant distributed to Hispanic serving institutions in hopes of improving students' education.

Because TAMIU and Laredo Community College's (LCC) population is 90 percent Hispanic, in 2007, a $3.5 million Title V grant was awarded to their math programs.Since then, Director of Title V, Mario Moreno, and his staff implemented ways to help students and faculty.

"Title V entitles three things: serving students, training faculty and reaching out to the community," said Moreno.

According to Moreno, college algebra is a subject that most students either ignore or take and don't pass, thus putting it off until the end of their degree. Therefore, college algebra became the focus of this grant.

"This money will help us improve our college algebra passing rates," said Moreno.

In an attempt to help students, the Technology and Enrichment in Mathematics (TEMA) Lab was opened.

Located in Cowart Hall 112, the TEMA lab opens Mon. through Fri. from 8:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. and provides students with computers, TI-83 calculators, college algebra textbooks, and most importantly, four qualified tutors: Samantha Moreno, Abdul Nayeem Imran, Sushanti Allu, and Sai Srinivas Sriparasa.

Part of the tutors' job is to guide students through ALEKS, a new college algebra software used to enhance students' skills.

"ALEKS provides questions that cover the entire book; we help the students understand concepts, and they then have to complete three questions of each concept before it is considered complete," said Imran, a tutor pursuing a graduate degree in management information systems.

"They [the professors] are seeing improvements and tell us about their success with ALEKS," added Rick Vocanegra, lab coordinator for the TEMA Lab.

Because last semester was the first semester these programs were practiced, measuring its success is not completely possible.

However, Moreno notes that from the 500 students that participated last semester, approximately 65 percent passed college algebra, and to see if passing rates remain consistent, their progress is being monitored as they take higher level math courses.

"When I took my first test, I barely passed, so I started going to the lab on a regular basis, and it has made me more confident; ALEKS is a good refresher after a lecture," said Andrew Carranco, a freshman taking college algebra.

In addition to the help provided for the students, the Title V grant is improving professors' teaching techniques.

"The Teaching Technology Learning Center (TTLC) is a training for faculty that focuses on three things: cultural awareness, teaching skills, and technology in the classroom," said Moreno.

There are 10 college algebra professors and only four are Latinos, so Moreno believes that informing the professors about the Hispanic culture can improve their understanding of the students' different learning styles.

Incorporating technology, moreover, will make the class more interesting and relatable for the students.

"Next month, we will invest on six smart boards for college algebra instructors," said Moreno.

While helping students and training faculty, Moreno's focus is also community outreach.

According to Moreno, students enter college unprepared, so the Title V project is trying to implement a competent curriculum in the public schools - one that will prepare students for college.

"There is an issue with high school students being prepared for college algebra, so we are trying to align curriculums from K-12, working with P-16 council state-wide so students can be prepared for college," said Moreno.

In fact, during his educational speech on March 10, President Obama addressed this dire situation.

"Our curriculum for 8th graders is two full years behind top performing countries," said Obama.

Because Moreno, like Obama, knows the importance of education, he wishes the Title V project produces great results and encourages everyone who is taking college algebra to visit the TEMA Lab or address their professors.

"America's education must once again be the envy of the world," said Obama.