Measures for Predicting Success in a First Course in College Mathematics

Abstract

The sectioning or grouping of students taking required college mathematics courses is now a relatively common procedure. O’Quinn1 reports that twenty-seven state universities, out of forty-three replying to his questionaire, used some method for grouping students according to mathematical ability or previous training in mathematics. The criteria used for grouping or sectioning students in mathematics courses were almost as varied as the number of universities which replied that they sectioned their students. In some universities all the students take the same course regardless of the group to which they were assigned, while in others those with the poorer preparation and/or ability were placed in special courses. In general, those universities which favored grouping were also strongly in favor of making adjustments in the amount of material, and type of subject matter to be taught in the different sections. From the O’Quinn report it is evident that there is a rather definite trend in the state universities toward the grouping of students according to ability and/or training.