WILLISTON, N.D. - Hunter Gentry scored a 437 on his initial assessment for College Algebra.

Scores range from 0 to a maximum international topic goal of 530. WSC's Wanda Meyer, who leads the ALEKS programming and is the Title III Grant director teaches 80% of the topics of mastery which is equivalent to 424. The second week of January several of Meyer's students took their initial assessment.  

94 students (WSC & WHS) took the initial exam this semester. Hunter is the only student that received a 424 or higher score.  

If students achieve a score of 424 they receive a certificate from ALEKS. On average, each semester of Meyer's students five students receive this award.   

ALEKS is software that designs a course shell for students based on their initial assessment taken at the start of the course. Course shells provide each student a successful learning path with positive reinforcement along the way. Students can learn the material at a rate that works best for them.  

Funded through the Title III Grant established in 2012, ALEKS was listed as a choice in the grant to improve the retention rate from developmental mathematics courses through college algebra.  

"This is the fourth semester that I have given students an initial assessment.  437 is the highest initial score received to date," stated Meyer. "This is so exciting - Hunter did an outstanding job."  

The initial class average for Meyer's four college algebra sections this spring include: 132, 149, 166, and 185. The 185-average score was from the section Meyer teaches at the Williston High School.  

If you have any questions about ALEKS or Title III please contact Wanda Meyer Title III Project Director at 701.774.4556.
For any information regarding WSC, please visit www.willistonstate.edu,
call 1.888.863.9455, or stop by 1410 University Avenue, Williston, ND.