5, 8, or 16 weeks: A Comparison of Success Rates in MAT 151 ONLINE

Submitted by Bobbi Mohr on
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What is the Purpose of the Assessment?

To determine which class length (5, 8, or 16 weeks) yields the highest average success rates in MAT 151 ONLINE (Instructor Bobbi Mohr)

Describe the necessity for this assessment

Subjectively, it is believed students are more successful in MAT 151 ONLINE if they can process the information over 16 weeks versus 8 or 5 weeks.  It's necessary to analyze the data objectively to determine the average success rates for each course duration. 

Describe how the practice will be implemented

Using grade rosters in SIS for MAT 151 ONLINE courses, taught by Bobbi Mohr, success rates will be determined by calculating the number of students that earned credit for the course, divided by the number of students enrolled.  The following courses and semesters will be analyzed:

Spring 25:  13823, 13758, 30817

Fall 24:  10572, 10557, 10621

Summer 24:  14372, 14368, 14387, 14392

Spring 24:  18047, 17984

Interpret, compare, and describe the results

From Spring 24 through Spring 25, students enrolled in MAT 151 ONLINE with Bobbi Mohr completed the district course competencies using the same MOER course template/structure.  Success rates for the following courses, as well as the semester and duration they were offered, are listed below:

Spring 25

  • 13823     16 weeks           21/28     75% success rate*
  • 13758     16 weeks           25/31     80.6 % success rate*
  • 30817     16 weeks           21/31     67.7% success rate*

*anticipated success rate based on current student progress as of 4.26.25

Fall 24

  • 10572     1st 8 weeks       22/30     73.3% success rate
  • 10557     2nd 8 weeks     16/24     66.7% success rate
  • 10621     2nd 8 weeks     22/29     75.9% success rate

Summer 24

  • 14372     1st 5 weeks      23/29     79.3% success rate
  • 14368     1st 5 weeks      25/33     75.8% success rate
  • 14387     2nd 5 weeks    22/28     78.6% success rate
  • 14392     2nd 5 weeks    19/28     67.9% success rate

Spring 24

  • 18047     16 weeks         20/31     64.5% success rate
  • 17984     16 weeks         19/31     61.3% success rate

Based on the data listed above, the collective average student success rate for 5 week classes was 75.4%.  The collective average student success rate for 8 week classes was 72%, and the collective average student success rate for 16 week classes was 69.8%.

Average Student Success Rates by Duration

  • 5 week          75.4%
  • 8 week          72%
  • 16 week        69.8%
After analyzing, and reflecting on the outcome, what are the next steps?

After an objective analysis of the data, students demonstrate the highest average levels of success in MAT 151 ONLINE with Bobbi Mohr in 5 weeks versus 8 or 16 weeks.  Most surprisingly, the subjective "feeling" that students need more time to process the material and demonstrate success in 16 weeks (versus the faster pace of 5 or 8 week classes) was debunked.

Abstract

Subjectively, it is believed students are more successful in MAT 151 ONLINE if they can process the information over 16 weeks versus 8 or 5 weeks.  After analyzing the data objectively, students enrolled in Bobbi Mohr's MAT 151 ONLINE courses from Spring 25 to Spring 24, using the same MOER course structure, yield the highest average success rates in 5 week courses.  The collective student success rate average for 5 week classes was 75.4%.  The collective student success rate average for 8 week classes was 72%, and the collective student success rate average for 16 week classes was 69.8%.

Division/Department
Mathematics
Completed Full Cycle
Yes
Course Number
13823
13758
30817
10572
10557
10621
14372
14368
14387
14392
18047
17984
Attachment Size
Google Sheet of Success Rates 51.73 KB
Program Learning Outcomes/Course Level Outcomes
Information Literacy