Using Evidence to Refine STEM Initiatives: Lessons Learned From the Dana Center Mathematics Pathways

This poster highlighted the successes and challenges of implementing classroom, institutional, and state policy reforms to support the development of multiple math pathways. The poster provided information on the Dana Center Mathematics Pathways (DCMP) and their work to support college faculty, institutions, and states in implementing math pathways at scale. It also included MDRC’s beginning implementation and impact findings from a random assignment study of these pathways at four Texas colleges. This included faculty and student perspectives as well as lessons for successfully implementing the pathways at scale within an institution. Participants became able to explain the rationale for multiple math pathways to another participant; understand the DCMP principles for accelerated mathematics pathways; interpret early findings as they apply to multiple math pathways; create a list of questions to evaluate their college and state’s readiness/need for accelerated mathematics pathways; and make a preliminary list of the evidence that they have available to them at their colleges and universities (developmental course completion rates, college course completion rates, transfer data, etc.).

Participants

Evan Weissman, MDRC and CAPR

Jennifer Dorsey, Charles A. Dana Center, The University of Texas at Austin