The innovative approach taken by Linn-Benton Community College in integrating practical, industry-specific math education into technical programs like welding exemplifies a crucial shift in educational philosophy. By directly aligning curriculum with real-world applications, such as calculating ladder rung placements to meet OSHA standards, Professor Michael Lopez and his colleagues are bridging a critical gap for students traditionally daunted by abstract math courses. This hands-on, contextualized learning not only enhances student engagement and performance but also prepares them more effectively for careers where math proficiency is essential. This approach also boosts pass rates significantly and empowers students to see math not as an obstacle but as a valuable tool in their professional toolkit.
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Math is a giant hurdle for most community college students pursuing welding and other career and technical degrees. About a dozen years ago, Linn-Benton’s administration looked at their data and found that many students in career and technical education, or CTE, were getting most of the way toward a degree but were stopped by a math course, said the college’s president, Lisa Avery. That’s not unusual: Up to 60 percent of students entering community college are unprepared for college-level work, and the subject they most often need help with is math.
