The Project Success program offers the following remedial and support services
for all students enrolled in its program.
Organizational Tutors. Each new Project Success student is assigned to
an Organizational Tutor (OT). The OT meets with the student a minimum of once
per week to assist the student to understand the general nature and time frame
of assignments in the student's courses. The OT also asks the student about
information about test results and tries to keep up to date with the student's
progress in the course. When the student is in need of additional tutoring,
the OT helps the student find other Project Success tutors knowledgable in the
subject area (e.g. mathematics or written expression).
Although the OT's job is to help the student succeed at the university by steering him or her to helpful resources, there are limits to the type and depth of assistance provided by OTs. For example, OTs DO NOT:
Ultimately, the student must take personal responsibility to monitor his or her own class progress and to act (or decide not to act ) on advice given by OTs and other Project Success staff.
Mathematics courses/tutoring. Many students who enter Project Success
have difficulties meeting the university's mathematics requirements. Over 80%
are required to take the university's non credit counting remedial algebra course,
67-100. Years ago, it became apparent that even this remedial course was too
difficult for many of our students. Therefore, each fall we offer a preparatory
mathematics course, Direct Instruction Algebra (16-099). The goal of this course
is to provide the students with additional skills in algebra to enhance their
chances for success in the 67-100 course, which we recommend taking during the
spring semester immediately after taking the 16-099 course.
The Project also offers individual and small group tutoring in basic and advanced
algebra courses. We strongly suggest that students obtain tutors early in the
semester before falling so far behind that catching up is impossible.
Remedial Reading and Spelling Courses. All students are required
to take the Project's Special Education-101course during their first semester
in the program. The Special Education-101 course helps students apply what they
have learned in the summer transition program to their college studies and focuses
on reading and spelling skills. Organizational tutors who meet individually
with students to deliver course content in Special Education 101 also help students
with organizing their time, obtaining tutoing assistance through Project Success
and other resources on campus, and scheduling classes for the next semester
using the University's Titan Web system.
English/Written Expression courses/tutoring. Many students
entering the Project Success program have difficulties with written expression.
During the Summer Transition Program students
receive instruction in written expression skills. The Project offers additiona
tutoring support for students in their first year English classes. The Project
also offers written expression tutoring labs daily. Tutors assist the student
with the entire writing process from brainstorming ideas, organizing the material,
to writing and editing the paper. The student is responsible for the content
and writing, but the tutor's job is to teach the writing process to the student.
Content Area Tutoring. Project Success's tutoring program seldom
focuses on content area tutoring. The main objective of Project Success tutors
is to promote academic independence. Therefore, with the exceptions of mathematics
and Spanish, the program does not hire course specific tutors. Rather we hire
tutors with strong academic backgrounds, mostly junior, senior and graduate
education majors, who teach students how to read, spell, write and study. At
times, tutors do supply some content area background for students who need it,
but the focus of every tutoring session is on assisting the student to learn
how to study and achieve academic independence.
A note about taped textbooks: Although Project Success does not offer
taped texts, students are not prohibited from using them. Student requesting
taped texts are referred to the UW Oshkosh Disability
Services office. Student requesting taped texts must provide documentation
of disability, and if approved for taped texts, the Disability Services office
will assist the student with obtaining taped texts. Project Success does however
offer access to the Kurzweil reader program and offers training and assistance
with using the program.