STEPS at CSUN: institutionalizati

onVicki Pedone

Principal InvestigatorStudents Targeting Engineering and Physical

Sciences at California State University Northridge

Grant Year 3

Strategy 1: “Fix” University placement testing for lower-division mathSTEM freshmen who avoid or fail Math Placement Test (MPT) start in Algebra. Adds one year, delays connection to major.Original plan: Create complex alternative pathway to MPT using diagnostics, summer online ALEKS, tutors

What we did instead:Researched the MPT and fixed systemic problems that created barriers to successCost: zeroInstitutionalization: quick and permanent. In place before start of Year 2.Results: Increase pass rate from 41% to 67% Impact: ~210 students per year.

Strategy 2: Improve pass rates in Calculus ISupplemental labs required for at-risk studentsCost: one-time reassignments for faculty to develop labInstitutionalization: quick and permanent. Pilot labs Year 2. Fully implemented Year 3.Results: Increase pass rate of at-risk students from 58% to 72% Impact: ~350 at-risk students per year.

Strategy 3: retain sophomores in STEM majors through Summer Interdisciplinary Team Experience PLUSES: small groups (10), interdisciplinary peer interaction, no grades, hands-on applications in “hot” STEM fields, personal faculty mentoringMINUS: It’s expensive!Analyzing: most effective parts (need data) and how to sustain them after NSF funding ends.

Suggestions for institutionalization1. Identify the successful elements

that mesh with the University mission and priorities.2. Collect data that demonstrate

success.3. Determine whether existing funded

structures can be modified/used to achieve elements of the grant program.

These actions give you a position of expertise from which to seek partnerships.

4. Create 1-page summary with best data and a strong, short take-away message.

6. Form advocate teams of administrators, faculty, and students to seek internal and external support for key strategies.

7. Use connections of External Advisory Board to seek funding for your key strategies.

5. Create partnerships with high-level administrators.