Institution:
California State University - Fullerton
Academic Level:
Baccalaureate
Designation:
Examples of Excelencia
Address:
Department of Mathematics
Address 2:
800 N. State College Blvd.
For the last twenty-three summers MISS has been providing an intensive mathematics experience to females from underrepresented ethnic groups. High school girls attend MISS courses for four weeks during the summer in college preparatory mathematics at the Algebra II level and above. Assigned to teams of four for the duration of the month, students have the opportunity to build collaborative learning skills.
Goal/Mission:
The long-term goal of MISS is to encourage these young women to take and complete calculus at the college level, thus creating for them access to university STEM majors such as Chemistry, Engineering, Geology, Biology, Physics, and Mathematics. Short-term, the aim of MISS is to support these students in their study of mathematics, focusing on assisting them to successfully complete the necessary courses required for college admission.
Outcome:
Latinas are by far the largest ethnic group served, accounting for 64% of the participants. Latinas had a mean improvement rate of 69% in elementary algebra skills among students, a mean improvement rate of 81% in intermediate algebra skills, a mean gain of 16% in students' attitude toward mathematics, and a mean gain of 14% in students' self-concept in mathematics. As a result of participating in MISS, follow-up questionnaires indicate that 99% of the students we are able to follow go on to attend college, 34% attend California State University, Fullerton, and 15% have chosen a STEM (science, technology, engineering, or mathematics) major. As of 2012 the program has served 1,379 students.
Notes:
This program was also honored in 2008 and 2007 as an Example of Excelencia Finalist.
