Clackamas CC (CCC) is excited to be a part of the National Science Foundation funded project Teaching for PROWESS (TfP): Increasing Student Success in Community College Mathematics through Active Learning and Systemic Instructional Change(NSF DUE–2013493, –2012962, –2013232, –2013550). TfP is a five-year collaborative project involving partnerships with AMATYC (lead), Chandler-Gilbert CC, Clackamas CC, and Oregon State University (OSU). Each community college has formed an IMPACT team of instructional leaders and developed a project centered on understanding how active learning supports student success, how to foster departmental change, and the role of a professional organization such as AMATYC in these transformations.

The Clackamas IMPACT team’s goal is to enhance mathematics instruction for STEM students by redesigning core STEM Path-way courses (College Algebra, Trigonometry/Precalculus, Calculus I, and Calculus II) to better align with the core principles of active learning and the pillars of PROWESS: Proficiency, Ownership, Engagement, and Student Success. New relationships with AMATYC, Chandler-Gilbert CC, and researchers at OSU have resulted in opportunities to learn, share, and collaborate on ideas related to mathematics in the first two years of college. CCC has engaged in regular professional development centered around the pillars of PROWESS, participated in sharing sessions to test out active learning activities, and developed a researcher-practitioner partnership that supports the development of research questions and the collection and analysis of data. It has been extremely rewarding so far, and CCC is excited to continue sharing their results and collaborating with other colleges during Phase 2 of TfP.

In Phase 2, an additional six college math departments will form IMPACT teams and design projects around active learning and systemic instructional change. These teams will partner with the Phase 1 colleges and the leadership team to develop and implement their projects.