THE BASICS

ECC offers developmental classes

KIMBERLY BELLAMY

If you don't do algebra problems or write essays on a daily basis then you might need something to jog your memory of those concepts.

That's is exactly what the developmental courses –also known as remedial classes – at Edgecombe Community College aims to do.

"There are a lot of students that are returning students that are older, and it's been a long time since they've seen algebra," said Developmental Studies Coordinator Jessica Blake.

There are students that are enrolled in the developmental courses that are straight out of high school.

"I'm taking algebra now and I took it back in ninth or tenth grade and we're just trying to rekindle what we already know," said ECC student Tonisha Harrison, 18.

Blake said the average age of students at ECC is 27 meaning that a majority of the students haven't been exposed to core subjects in a number of years.

"With waiting so long to come back, it's challenging and hard," said ECC student Ethelene Pittman, 42.

The average amount of ECC students enrolled in developmental courses each semester is about 70 percent and the retention rate is about 80 percent for students that successfully complete the courses, according to Blake.

There are seven courses that are typically offered at most colleges to refresh students memories; Basic Math, Beginning and Intermediate Algebra, Intro to College Reading, Improved College Reading, Writing Foundations, Study Skills and Computers Strategies.

"That's basically what most institutions have as their developmental program," Blake said.

There are number of classes that ECC have added to their course list for developmental studies based on student needs including Concepts of Human Biology, Fundamentals of Computing, Keyboarding Literacy and College Student Success.

"Every student that decides that they want to go to ECC takes a placement test," Blake said.

The placement test determines whether the students will start with developmental courses or go straight into curriculum courses. The level of the development course is also determined.

"A lot of students, if they place out they still choose to take those classes for various reasons," Blake said.

ECC student Victor Davis, 50, was out of school for 30 years before returning back to school and feels that he is gaining skills that he should have already known.

"It's really pulling me back where I should have been," Davis said.

There are mixed opinions from students about if the classes are necessary to move on to curriculum courses.

ECC student Matt Jones, 19, said he doesn't see how some of the courses relate to what he wants to do.

"I know I have to have a lot of the math for pharmacy," Harrison said.

Some students have expressed that they may have had a bad testing day and that the placement test misjudged their ability in a subject.

"In a way I do because I'm basically ahead of everybody in my math class," Harrison said.

For those who need additional help in the development classes, ECC offers a tutoring program, which the students can sign-up and come for tutoring on a walk-in basis.

About 30 to 40 percent of the graduating classes have gotten tutoring upon completion of school, according to Blake.

"They help push you along the way ... they want you to learn," Davis said.

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