Across the nation every fall, college freshmen have a rude awakening when entering the classroom: they have not been prepared to perform at a college level nor to handle its workload. Students at Penn Valley are no exception to this alarming trend. In light of this, Penn Valley is implementing a series of developmental committees in an effort to bring students up to an appropriate level educationally and behaviorally so that they may succeed in college.

Co-chair of the developmental education committee, Craig Bartholomaus, explained: "There is blame to spread around - the Kansas City schools and especially the historically awful school boards; the lack of focus on and support for education in our society, nationally and locally; the emphasis on standardized tests and de-emphasis on critical thinking; the lack of substance (whether in reading, science, or whatever) in curricula and classrooms; parents and communities that are not involved."

Though the blame for this shortcoming in the educational process can be directed toward a number of culpable parties, the fact is that students coming into Penn Valley are lacking in their reading, writing, and math skills and now it is the challenge of the new committees to supplement their learning experience. President of MCC Penn Valley, Bernard Franklin, explained that the main function of these committees would be that "teams of folks are going to look at developmental programs. That's extremely exciting. That gives us hope that we can make progress and make changes here."

As for identifying which students need help academically, the compass testing that is performed during enrollment will act as a guide. As of yet, the committees are uncertain of what format this preparation will take, but they are evaluating other forms of academic development for other two year institutions in Missouri and across the country.

In addition to the educational problems in the classroom, students are unfamiliar with work ethics and the way that college life operates. It is difficult for many of these students to transition from the high school experience to the standards of college life. In the classroom, Bartholomaus noted that, "Some students do not understand what the expectations of college culture are, from things like being on time and attentive in class, to understanding that college is serious and demands a great deal of time, energy, and effort. It is not supposed to be easy."

Knowing the layout of a school and where to find help is one of the key aspects to being successful in college. Because MCC Penn Valley is not a four year institution, there is no simple way to give a required orientation to its students to show them all of the resources that are available to them. Ideas are currently being tossed around on how to better acquaint students to the campus, said Vicki Raine, co-chair of the orientation committee.

These new committees are looking to engage Penn Valley people beyond designated chair members. The plan is to try to pull together involvement from the administration, staff, and students of Penn Valley as well. All of this with the hope that all groups at Penn Valley will be heard and represented for the enhancement of the student body as a whole.

After meeting this spring to develop a strategy to put into place for the Fall 2008 semester, the committees will give members time to do more research over the summer. Overall, the faculty is excited about the commitment to the achievement of the students shown through these committees, and hopes they'll provide serious analysis and change regarding developmental issues. It is everyone's desire that, through the work of these committees, students will no longer feel as shocked when their first year of college rolls around in the fall.

Copyright 2008 Metropolitan Community College