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Ngoc Tran
Prof. Ogden
English 1A #50680
18 June, 2015

Week 5 Study Guide: Chapter 2 Design Principles for Effective Completion Pathways by
Thad Nodine, Andrew Venezia, and Kathy Bracco

Part 1: Summary
Authors share their design principles to help students and schools solving problems to be
more effective in study. In college, there are many models to effective completion pathways.
One model is to improve a connection with K-12 system to help teachers and students
understand what knowledge and skills they study in college level. Also, college needs to have
partnerships in outside such as business, industry to help students after they leave school.
Another way is to support students in courses selection and inform information clearly.
Additionally, throughout program in college, make sure to help students reach learning outcomes
to improve their skills. Colleges also need to engage students throughout support programs such
as counseling, career assistance, etc. Other model is to customize curriculum to improve student
learning. College must provide instructional programs and student services to help students catch
up their study.

Part 2: Outline
1. Connect with K-12 schools, transfer partners, and employers

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a. College need to work with K-12 system closely

i. Clear information about expectation
ii. Early diagnostic testing
b. Partnerships with four-years institution, business, and industry
i. Transfer encouragement
ii. Support with instructions
2. Provide coherent and clear sequences of courses in college program
a.

Students attend to college without clear goal, information

b.

Provide to students in interactive and engaging ways

3. Define students competence and learning outcomes

a.

Identify learning outcomes

b.

Define students competences

4. Improve students engagement

a.

Student services

b.

Academic advising

5. Customize, contextualize, and differentiate instruction

a.

Contextualized instruction aim

i.

b.

Teaching new information

Curriculum development

i.

Any curriculum redesign

6. Responsibility in all instructional program and student service

a.

Develop courses in community college

b.

Strategies and implications for practice

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7. Integrate student services and instructional supports within college-level program

a.

Developmental education

b.

Student services

8. Apply technology to reduce and improve cost of curriculum and student services
a.

Interactive online resources

Part 3: Key terminology with definition

1. Articulation (n): the act of making a sound or of speaking words
2. Curriculum (n): the subjects that are taught by schools, colleges, or the things that are
studied in a particular subject.
3. Prerequisite (n): something that is necessary before something else can happen or be done
4. Momentum framework (n): ideas, rules, or beliefs are improved, developed
5. Gatekeeper courses (n): the first or lowest-level in college level
6. Competence (n): the ability to do something well

Part 4: Discussion Questions

1.

Why are students entering colleges without goals and information?

2.

Why do colleges need to connect to K-12 schools?

3.

What do college students expect when they attend to colleges they decide?

4.

Does educational system in high school need to be changed?

5.

Do colleges need to increase tuition fee?

Part 5: Analysis

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This article gives us several strategies to help students to be succeeded in colleges.

Because of many students drop out college or could not able to complete their study, authors
offer us some guides to solve the problem. Throughout many information and helping models
that authors give, I find my voice in their solutions. Our college system and high school system
need to connect to help students in K-12 schools have better ideas and identify their habits,
characteristics to get a good major for them. Also, another problem that I point out is financial
issue. Many students could not reach their goal due to their financial limit. I know that in the
U.S., the fund for financial aid is too huge. It supports for many students to achieve their
expectations. However, some students still need a support.
Part 6: External Sources
I think the federal government can do a lot more to support the creation and maintenance of
open educational resources and open courseware And we have to focus on smart regulations.
By Peter Stokes
According to the report from Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance, it states
college completion rates are stagnant or falling today, particularly among young Americans.
Thus, this report tells some information to understand the challenge and also gives information
on role of federal government or from other states, institutions after discussing with experts. This
report focuses on students who referred to in the past as nontraditional population. They are
diversity of culture, size, age, education preparation and goals, and etc. Thus, giving solutions to
solve is difficult and could be impossible.

Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance. Pathways To Success. Washington DC,

Feb 2012. PDF file