Breaking Barriers: Student Success in Community College Mathematics

The book explores the complexity surrounding the issue of student difficulties in community college math, focusing on the experiences of students who struggled. It presents the results of a study on students who entered community college with disgust and anxiety toward mathematics courses and requirements, but eventually succeeded in fulfilling their college-level mathematics requirement. The author assists readers in gaining a better understanding of the community college student who struggles in math and how to break students' community college math barriers to success.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 204 pages
Publication date: 21 June 2021
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

1. The Math Anxiety Scale
The issue of college students struggling in mathematics is not a recent phenomenon, with numerous studies indicating poor student success rates. This book delves into the complexities surrounding this problem, specifically focusing on the experiences of students enrolled in community college math courses. While much research has been conducted on faculty perspectives and methods, the author emphasizes the importance of understanding the students' viewpoints.

The book presents the findings of a study conducted on students who faced challenges in mathematics. Despite their diverse backgrounds and experiences, all the students entered community college with a strong dislike and anxiety towards math courses and requirements. These negative impressions and attitudes posed significant barriers to their academic success. However, despite initial struggles, all the students ultimately fulfilled their college-level mathematics requirements.

The author shares the stories of these students, detailing their prior experiences in math, their attempts to engage with math in community college, and their navigation through the first developmental math course. Through these student responses, the author aims to provide readers with a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by community college students who struggle with math and offer strategies for breaking down these barriers to success.

The book is organized into ten chapters, including a preface, introduction, and conclusion. Each chapter explores different aspects of the students' experiences, such as their prior math education, attitudes toward math, challenges encountered in community college, and strategies for overcoming obstacles. The author also includes an appendix with valuable resources, such as the Math Anxiety Scale, which can be used by educators and students to assess and address math anxiety.

In conclusion, this book offers valuable insights into the complexities surrounding college students' difficulties in mathematics. By focusing on the students' experiences, the author provides a deeper understanding of the factors that contribute to these challenges and offers practical strategies for overcoming them. It is a valuable resource for educators, policymakers, and students alike, as it contributes to the ongoing efforts to improve math education and promote student success in higher education.

Weight: 348g
Dimension: 155 x 233 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032007977