PREVIOUS GSU QEPs
QEP 2010
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Grambling State University’s (GSU) Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) stems from one of
the university’s biggest challenges – the need to improve mathematical knowledge and
skills. After a comprehensive needs assessment and feedback from a broad base of constituent
groups, the university selected “The Improvement of Mathematical Skills and Knowledge”
as its QEP topic. The selected topic arose from a five-year analysis of Rising Junior
Examination data, students’ performance in English and mathematics courses, and ACT/SAT
scores. This analysis clearly indicated that the weakest link in student learning
at GSU is a poor mathematical foundation. Therefore, GSU has chosen to focus on improving
mathematics instruction by adopting novel curricular, instructional, and assessment
strategies in selected general education courses. The Leadership Team formed a diversified
Quality Enhancement Plan Team to develop the QEP. Throughout the development process,
team members sought input from faculty and students and promoted understanding of
the QEP’s long term impact on student learning. The purpose of GSU’s QEP is to improve
the mathematical skills and knowledge of all students irrespective of their majors;
therefore, it targets the entire student population. This purpose will be achieved
through two goals:
- To increase student knowledge and comprehension of general mathematical concepts.
- To develop student ability to think analytically and to reason quantitatively in solving
real world problems.
The first goal incorporates six student learning outcomes (SLOs) and aims to provide
theoretical foundations in general mathematics. The second goal incorporates three
SLOs and aims to develop students’ problem solving skills. In addition to two pre-calculus
courses, the QEP also includes a quantitative approach to teaching courses in non-mathematics
areas. Upon review of the literature coupled with the experiences gained from successful
programs at GSU, the QEP Team has identified a number of strategies for implementation.
Activities that help in building a firm foundation for the implementation of the QEP
include but not limited to; curricular changes, continuous monitoring of student progress,
peer tutoring, and reduction of class size. New pedagogical methods include interdisciplinary
approach to teaching mathematics, use of technology, mathematics through writing,
and process-oriented guided-inquiry learning. The plan also contains faculty development
and student seminars.
The QEP includes a comprehensive assessment plan. Both formative and summative assessments
will be done, using multiple instruments, for continuous monitoring. Quantitative
and qualitative data will be collected. In addition to monitoring the progress of
SLOs, the process will also monitor the effectiveness of new teaching methods. The
QEP timeline includes a six-year period. In 2010-11 preparations will be made for
implementation of the QEP in the Fall of 2011. Courses and teaching methods included
in the QEP (Table 6.4) will be implemented in phases. An Advisory Board will perform
the overall evaluation and relate it to institutional effectiveness. The university
has committed adequate resources (Table 7.4) for successful implementation. The QEP
will generate measurable improvement in students’ understanding of mathematical concepts
and in their abilities to solve real world problems. Consequently, an increase in
pass rates on the Rising Junior Examination and in pre-calculus courses is expected.
CLICK HERE QEP 2010 DOCUMENT
