Learning and Understanding: Improving Advanced Study of Mathematics and Science in U.S. High Schools Report of the Content Panel for Mathematics (2002) / Chapter Skim
Currently Skimming:
5. Impact of the AP and IB Programs
5. Impact of the AP and IB Programs
Pages 38-44
The Chapter Skim interface presents what we've algorithmically identified as the most significant single chunk of text within every page in the chapter.
Select key terms on the right to highlight them within pages of the chapter.
From page 38... ...
The need to get students ready for the AP courses helps counter such pressures. On the negative side, precalculus courses are condensed in some schools so that three semesters can be set aside to cover AP calculus (especially if the school plans to offer AP Calculus BC)
|
From page 39... ...
In addition, to complete 4 full years of mathematics prior to enrolling in AP calculus, students must either take a mathematics course over the summer or start algebra in grade 8.25 In the United States, few students take algebra before the ninth grade.26 Thus, the desire to have as many students as possible ready to take calculus by their senior year can lead to condensing the mathematics sequence in a fashion that creates long-term problems for some students. For example, students may choose to "double up" and take two mathematics courses in one year usually geometry and Algebra II.
|
From page 40... ...
A strong precalculus course would have the effect of reducing the amount of remediation (currently unacceptably large) that goes on in AP calculus and allowing the exploration of more difficult problems within that course.
|
From page 41... ...
IMPACT OF AP AND IB ON CO' :I~GE CALCULUS PROGRAMS Hi: Although the intent of AP courses is to give students a head start on college-level work, many students take high school calculus and then repeat calculus in college. This group includes students who score well on the AP assessment but retake the course in college in the hope of receiving an A, students who take the AP course but do not take the examination, and students who take non-AP calculus courses.
|
From page 42... ...
The calculus portion of IB Mathematics HL, including the Approximation and Analysis option, is generally considered to be at least the equivalent of AP Calculus BC. The calculus portion of Mathematical Methods SL by itself is less than a full AP Calculus AB course.
|
From page 43... ...
. A detailed historical perspective on the communications among the College Board, mathematicians, teachers, and professional mathematics organizations that led to the creation of the new AP calculus courses was written by Dan Kennedy of the Baylor School and can be found on the College Board's Web site: www.collegeboard.com [4/23/02]
|
From page 44... ...
Finding: Data on the number of AP and IB courses offered by schools and the results of the examinations are sometimes used in ways for which they were not intended, thus creating situations that can be detrimental to student learning. Results of AP examinations taken in the senior year are not available until long after college acceptances have been sent out.
|
Key Terms
This material may be derived from roughly machine-read images, and so is provided only to facilitate research.
More
information on Chapter Skim is available.