How to Build and Run a Successful Emerging Scholars Program

How to Build and Run a Successful Emerging Scholars Program

Registration Fee: $325 by June 5, $450 after

Institutions of higher education have long suffered from an inability to retain underrepresented (especially African-American and Latino/a) students in calculus, effectively restricting the students’ choice of majors and, thus, their choice of careers. Research shows that, provided with appropriate academic enrichment, even poorly prepared students can perform well in calculus. An evaluation of the Berkeley ESP found that students with the lowest mathematics SAT scores (200-460) were as likely to earn grades of B-minus or above in calculus as nonparticipants with the highest scores (560-800); this program nullified preparation as a factor in calculus success. In other words, ESP levels the college calculus playing field, eliminating the achievement gap.

This program has been successfully replicated in institutions across the country, including the University of Wisconsin, the University of Illinois, Michigan State University, the University of Texas, UC Davis, Amherst College, and St. Mary’s College of Maryland.

The documented success of the ESP model suggests that its use at more colleges and universities across the country will improve the success rates of underrepresented students in calculus. The proposed PREP workshop will train college and university faculty to implement ESP models at their home institutions by providing materials, professional development, and ongoing support.

More information regarding the workshop can be found online at http://faculty.smcm.edu/dtkung/2008_PREP.html