A West Valley community college has received a grant that aims to decrease the number of low-performing students.
Estrella Mountain Community College reports 61 percent of its students test below college level in math, English or reading.
With this $2.6 million Title V grant from the U.S. Department of Education, the school plans to create smartphone apps to review materials, hire advisers and increase tutoring.
Estrella Mountain Community College Dean of Institutional Research Rene Willekens said the school is dedicated to addressing the needs of these students.
“We hope to see fewer students placing developmentally and more students getting through all our development education courses in a year or less. Eventually we’d like to see a higher graduation rate of our students,” said Willekens.
Willekens said the school is planning to combine developmental classes with required college level courses to help students advance faster.
Glendale, Gateway and Phoenix community colleges all received Title V grants last year.
KJZZ is licensed to Rio Salado College, one of the Maricopa Community Colleges.