Re: Should all cc students be required to pass Intermediate Algebra?

Vern Kays (vkays@RICHLAND.CC.IL.US)
Thu, 12 Dec 1996 10:57:22 -0600

Since I posted the response. I will give my view. 1. our state no longer
accepts intermediate algebra as a college level cours. 2. It is equal to
approximately 11 th grade mathematics in H.S. 3. I perfer to have students
with a higher level of mathematical learning. 4. I think it would be in
effect "dumbing down". 5. Until the "Standards" are adopted and used
extensively, skill based pre-requistes will continue to be used and College
level mathematics is above Intermediate level mathematics.

In the sixties, I attended a college where Calculus was considered the
lowest level of mathematics for college level mathematics. Today we are
discussing intermediate algebra. Seems to be a rather long drop from my
1968 freshperson mathematics course.

Vern Kays
At 09:17 AM 12/12/96 -0500, Geoffrey Akst wrote:
> I just received a posting (which I accidentally deleted) in
>response to a question which I had previously posed about creating a
>mathematical modelling course based on For All Practical Purposes. The
>course which we have in mind would have elementary algebra as a
>prerequisite and be a liberal arts elective. The respondent (sorry, I
>missed the name) urged that we require Intermediate Algebra as the
>prerequisite for such a course. Would any other interested parties please
>give their view on this issue?
>
>Geoff Akst
>Manhattan CC
>