UCF Tuition Increase to Fund Innovative Changes to English and Math Classes

By Chad Binette June 18, 2009

Photo: Jacque Brund

Tutors Stephen Villiotis and Amy Shaw discuss a paper at the University Writing Center.

Full Photo

The University of Central Florida will reduce the size of freshman composition classes beginning this summer as part of an innovative effort to help first-year students succeed.

Supported by differential tuition dollars, UCF will be investing $721,000 annually in the smaller composition classes with a new writing curriculum and to build on a successful pilot program for first-year college algebra classes. UCF also will enhance support for the University Writing Center.

About 2,500 first-year students will begin their UCF careers on June 29. UCF hopes the new initiative will help those students -- and the freshmen who begin in the fall -- thrive early in their academic careers, improving their chances of succeeding in college and after they graduate.

“We are investing differential tuition dollars directly into the classroom to increase opportunities for our first-year students to succeed,” said Alison Morrison-Shetlar, vice provost and dean of Undergraduate Studies. “The foresight of UCF President John Hitt and his leadership team to provide these resources even during tight budget times will have a lasting impact on our students’ lives.”

University research showed that class size does not have a primary effect on student success, except in certain classes, including those that teach skills such as writing and math. In response, UCF is launching a pilot study of smaller composition class sections that will begin this summer.

Two first-year composition class sections during the Summer B term each will have 19 students and a requirement to work with the University Writing Center. Eight fall sections also will have only 19 students, and all other sections in the fall will have 25 students. Currently, enrollment in UCF’s composition class sections is capped at 27.

UCF also will expand a new approach to college algebra courses that began in fall 2008 with support from the National Center for Academic Transformation. Instead of attending class for three hours a week, students in the sections taught under the new format go to class for one hour and are required to spend at least three hours a week in a computer lab where they solve math problems. Data from UCF’s two-semester pilot study have shown that this teaching strategy significantly increases student success, including grades and test scores, in college algebra.

While in the lab, students work with customized software that gives them helpful hints and immediate feedback about whether they are doing their work correctly – preventing them from repeating mistakes on several problems in their homework. Students also receive one-on-one help from trained undergraduate and graduate student mentors and instructors.

During the once-a-week algebra classes, students will be divided into smaller groups, creating a stronger sense of community among them. They will work together on problems throughout the semester and will be encouraged to study for tests together.

UCF Stands For Opportunity --The University of Central Florida is a metropolitan research university that ranks as the 5th largest in the nation with more than 50,000 students. UCF's first classes were offered in 1968. The university offers impressive academic and research environments that power the region's economic development. UCF's culture of opportunity is driven by our diversity, Orlando environment, history of entrepreneurship and our youth, relevance and energy. For more information visit http://www.news.ucf.edu.

< Back to the Newsroom

• About UCF
• Contact UCF
• Internet Privacy Policy
• Policies
• Regulations

© 1997-2008 University of Central Florida © 1997-2008 University of Central Florida

• 4000 Central Florida Blvd. Orlando, Florida, 32816
• 407.823.2000

UCF Stands For Opportunity