Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College
Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College (OCtech) students in developmental and gateway courses who routinely attend supplemental instruction sessions score at least a grade level higher in course assessments.
Since testing supplemental instruction (SI) in 2008-2009, OCtech has offered the peer-assisted study sessions in developmental math (MAT-032) and biology (BIO 112), as well as in gateway courses such as College Algebra (MAT110) and Western Civilization (HIS-102).
In addition to having lower withdrawal rates, the students in the SI sections have higher passage rates than the average of the three years prior to the intervention.
- 67% of students passed MAT-032 with SI compared to the 46% average during the three years before the intervention was added.
- 47% passed BIO-112 with SI compared to the 32% average during the three years before the intervention was added.
- 42% passed MAT-110 with SI compared to the 36% average during the three years before the intervention was added.
- 53% passed HIS-102 with SI compared to the 36% average during the three years before the intervention was added.
OCtech is located in rural, central South Carolina near the “Global Logistics Triangle” created by intersecting major highways. From this strategic location, the college provides leadership in advanced manufacturing, transportation, and logistics education.
In Fall 2009, 58% of OCtech’s 3,200 students were African American and 1% were Hispanic. Pell grants were distributed to 54% of the college’s students.
With Achieving the Dream the college adopted a data-based approach that led to numerous new policies and practices. These include redefining late registration as the week before classes start, assessing a late registration fee to encourage student planning, dropping students who miss the first day of class, and adding tutoring in some developmental courses.
By providing professional development in Collaborative Learning to all faculty members, OCtech plans to implement this student engagement strategy college-wide. Faculty, who will mentor their colleagues, received instruction on collaborative learning at Patrick Henry Community College, which is another Achieving the Dream Leader College.
The college continues to build on its K-12 partnerships. It now offers its College Skills course to high school students to enhance their college readiness skills. OCtech has also expanded testing and remediation services into its area schools as early as eighth grade.
In addition to the OCtech Middle College, which blends high school with the first two years of college, the college plans to collaborate with schools on technical programs.
The Achieving the Dream Model
Achieving the Dream community colleges commit to our Student-Centered Model of Institutional Improvement. Based on four principles, the model frames the overall work of helping more students, particularly low- income students and students of color, stay in school and earn a college certificate or degree.
Each college approaches the work differently, but Achieving the Dream’s five-step process provides practical guidelines for keeping the focus where it belongs and building momentum over time. Throughout the process, Achieving the Dream coaches offer customized support and help each college’s core team implement data-informed programs and policies that build long-term, institution-wide commitment to student success.
Achieving the Dream Leader Colleges
Leader Colleges are demonstrating the power of the Achieving the Dream Student-Centered Model of Institutional Improvement. They show us it is possible to raise persistence and graduation rates, close achievement gaps, and change lives. Leader Colleges embody the ultimate goal of Achieving the Dream, and as such, serve as mentors within our community of learners.
To be eligible for Leader College distinction, colleges must show three or more years of improvement on one or more of these five measures:
- Course completion
- Advancement from developmental to credit-bearing courses
- Completion of college-level math and English courses
- Term-to-term and year-to-year retention
- Completion of certificates or degrees
