From: swillden@news.ccutah.edu (Shawn Willden)
Newsgroups: sci.math,comp.edu,misc.education,sci.edu
Subject: Minimum standards for math "competency"
Summary: Questionnaire about math competency requirements at other schools.
Keywords: math competency education university college standards
Date: 18 Nov 92 16:51:57 GMT
Article-I.D.: fcom.1992Nov18.165157.14599
Reply-To: swillden@icarus.weber.edu
Organization: University of Utah Computer Center
X-Newsreader: Tin 1.1 PL3

At Weber State University, Ogden, Utah, U.S.A (where I am working on a
B.S. in math and CS) there is a movement to change (lower) the
standards for math competency.  The current policy states that every
student recieving a degree from Weber State must demonstrate his/her
mathematics competency by either 1) scoring a 19 or better on the
mathematics portion of the ACT or 2) passing a course in basic algebra
skills (called math 105) as taught by the mathematics department.  The
proposed change (which, incidentally, was *passed* last year by the
faculty senate and only came up for reconsideration through the
efforts of myself, some other students and math dept. faculty) would
allow any department on campus to submit their own courses as
substitutes for math 105 in fulfillment of the math competency
requirement.  The proposal specifies a list of topics that must be
covered by the course in order to qualify but makes no mention of any
standards with which the teaching of these topics is to be judged.
The proposal is championed by the departments of various social
sciences (Sociology, communications, etc.) who feel that math 105 is
simply too difficult for their students to pass.  (Math 105 is
essentially a high-school algebra course).

I am completely opposed to this proposal on the grounds that it will
weaken degrees from WSU. (Just so there's no question about *my*
opinion of the matter :-)

I have heard that many other schools around the country are facing
similar problems.  I would like to hear experiences from anyone who
has faced this situation and arguments both for and against such
proposals.

Also, (and this is really why I'm posting) I would like to find out
what standards are at other schools.  I would like to be able to use
this information as ammunition for my arguments, so I would appreciate
it greatly if you would include your name, position and possibly even
a phone number where you can be reached if I need to verify any of the
info.  So, please take a moment and answer the following questions
about your school's math competency requirements.

I am especially interested in colleges and universities with a makeup
similar to Weber's.  Weber is basically a four-year educational
institution (we only recently became a university and though there are
plans for many master's programs in the works, currently we have only
master's in education and business programs) with a studentbody of
approximately 14,000 students, most of whom commute to school and many
of whom are non-traditional students (I believe the average age of a
WSU student is ~26 years).

Questions:

	School information and demographics:

		What is the name of your school and where is it
		located?

		Describe your studentbody (size, age distribution,
		etc.)

		What is the "purpose" of your school (i.e. education,
		research, is your school an "elite" school, etc.)

	Math competency requirements:

		What math is required for entrance?

		What math is required for graduation?

		Is there an additional requirement for B.S. degrees
		as opposed to B.A. degrees?

		Are all math courses that count towards these minimum
		requirements taught by the mathematics dept.?

		If not, how are standards enforced?

	General thoughts about math competency requirements:

		What do you think should be a minimum standard for
		a graduate of a four-year institution?

		Do you think allowing departmentalized mathematics
		courses is wise?  Why or why not?

		Any other comments?

Thanks for your time,
respond either on the net or by e-mail (e-mail preferred unless you have
something you would like to discuss with the net at large).

--
Shawn Willden
swillden@icarus.weber.edu


--
Shawn Willden
swillden@icarus.weber.edu
Newsgroups: sci.math