Improving Student Success at University of Central Florida (UCF)
Gateway Math Courses support STEM majors with the power of Skillwell
Story At A Glance
Goal
Increase pass rates and student progression in high-enrollment gateway math courses by delivering personalized support that meets students at their individual skill levels.
Solution
Implemented Skillwell’s adaptive learning platform to create individualized learning paths, deliver real-time feedback, and give instructors actionable insight into student progress.
Results
Improved student engagement and confidence while significantly increasing course success rates—raising College Algebra pass rates from 69% to 84% and driving strong gains in online course performance.
Challenge
High Enrollment. Uneven Readiness. High Stakes.
At the University of Central Florida, many incoming STEM students begin their academic journey in gateway math courses—critical prerequisites that determine whether students can progress in their programs.
However, enrollment in these courses is high, and students arrive with widely varying levels of preparation. While the curriculum assumes readiness for first-semester calculus, many students must first complete intermediate or college algebra, often struggling to stay motivated and keep pace.
As Associate Lecturer Dr. Tammy Mugs explains, math is rarely students’ favorite subject. Without personalized support, engagement drops, pass rates suffer, and students fall behind before they ever reach their major coursework.
The goal was clear:
Increase course pass rates while keeping students motivated, supported, and moving forward.
Solution
Dr. Mugs implemented Skillwell’s personalized digital learning platform to transform how students experienced early math courses.
With Skillwell:
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Each student begins with a pre-assessment to identify their optimal starting point
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Skillwell builds an individualized learning path based on existing knowledge and gaps
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The adaptive system continuously analyzes student activity and performance
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Content and remediation adjust automatically as students progress
Because the course used Dr. Mugs’ original instructional content within Skillwell, students also avoided the cost of a traditional textbook—removing a common barrier to engagement.
Results
The impact was immediate and measurable.
By personalizing learning pathways and guiding students forward, Skillwell helped UCF turn a high-risk gateway course into a launchpad for student success.
91%
In online College Algebra sections, student success rates increased by 91%
Students could remediate missing knowledge, catch up, or accelerate beyond standard pacing
Instructors gained real-time insight into student progress and performance
84%
College Algebra success rates increased from 69% to 84% after Skillwell was introduced
91%
In online College Algebra sections, student success rates increased by 91%
Students could remediate missing knowledge, catch up, or accelerate beyond standard pacing
Instructors gained real-time insight into student progress and performance
Regular, real-time feedback helped students build confidence, stay motivated, and take ownership of their learning throughout the course. Student feedback reinforced the impact of the approach, with the majority reporting that they learned more effectively using Skillwell—and, given the choice, saying they would enroll in another course powered by the platform.
By meeting students where they are and guiding them forward, Skillwell helped the University of Central Florida transform a high-risk gateway math course into a true launchpad for student success.
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