Calculus Redesign at Missouri S&T
Four-year, comprehensive redesign
Part of the campus strategic plan
Goal: Increase calculus success by 7%
Historic Success Rates
Since Winter 2004:
Calculus I (1208, 1214): 68.35% pass rate
Calculus II (1215, 1221): 79.50% pass rate
Calculus III (2222): 74.05% pass rate
Grade in Calc I Calc II Pass Rate
A
B
C
Calc II Grade
A B C D F WD HR
A in Calc I
B in Calc I
C in Calc I
Is Success in Calc II Predictable? Calc II Grade
A B C D F WD HR
A in Calc I 75.25% 17.61% 4.81% 0.39% 0.78% 0.54% 0.62%
B in Calc I
C in Calc I
Calc II Grade
A B C D F WD HR
A in Calc I 75.25% 17.61% 4.81% 0.39% 0.78% 0.54% 0.62%
B in Calc I 30.77% 38.28% 21.25% 3.29% 2.10% 2.18% 2.13%
C in Calc I
Calc II Grade
A B C D F WD HR
A in Calc I 75.25% 17.61% 4.81% 0.39% 0.78% 0.54% 0.62%
B in Calc I 30.77% 38.28% 21.25% 3.29% 2.10% 2.18% 2.13%
C in Calc I 5.77% 22.52% 36.84% 12.11% 9.53% 6.05% 7.18%
Grade in Calc I Calc II Pass Rate
A 97.67%
B
C
Grade in Calc I Calc II Pass Rate
A 97.67%
B 90.31%
C
Grade in Calc I Calc II Pass Rate
A 97.67%
B 90.31%
C 65.13%
Since Winter 2004, students who pass Calc I have passed Calc II on the first try 82.65% of the time.
First Attempt Pass Rate on Second Attempt
D
F
WD
HR
Second Attempt A B C D F WD HR
First Attempt: D
First Attempt: F
First Attempt: WD
First Attempt: HR
What About Unsuccessful Calc I Students?
Second Attempt A B C D F WD HR
First Attempt: D 2.70% 27.36% 42.00% 17.53% 8.09% 1.93% 0.39%
First Attempt: F
First Attempt: WD
First Attempt: HR
Second Attempt A B C D F WD HR
First Attempt: D 2.70% 27.36% 42.00% 17.53% 8.09% 1.93% 0.39%
First Attempt: F 0.62% 10.91% 24.90% 22.22% 32.92% 8.23% 0.20%
First Attempt: WD
First Attempt: HR
Second Attempt A B C D F WD HR
First Attempt: D 2.70% 27.36% 42.00% 17.53% 8.09% 1.93% 0.39%
First Attempt: F 0.62% 10.91% 24.90% 22.22% 32.92% 8.23% 0.20%
First Attempt: WD 1.27% 8.90% 28.81% 14.83% 30.09% 13.98% 2.12%
First Attempt: HR
Second Attempt A B C D F WD HR
First Attempt: D 2.70% 27.36% 42.00% 17.53% 8.09% 1.93% 0.39%
First Attempt: F 0.62% 10.91% 24.90% 22.22% 32.92% 8.23% 0.20%
First Attempt: WD 1.27% 8.90% 28.81% 14.83% 30.09% 13.98% 2.12%
First Attempt: HR 1.23% 8.59% 34.36% 18.40% 24.54% 9.20% 3.68%
First Attempt Pass Rate on Second Attempt
D 72.06%
F
WD
HR
First Attempt Pass Rate on Second Attempt
D 72.06%
F 36.42%
WD
HR
First Attempt Pass Rate on Second Attempt
D 72.06%
F 36.42%
WD 38.98%
HR
First Attempt Pass Rate on Second Attempt
D 72.06%
F 36.42%
WD 38.98%
HR 44.17%
Traditional Calculus Labs
Traditional Calculus I and II labs
• Met two days per week for 50 minutes
• Were directly linked to a lecture section
• Did not encourage student engagement
• Were not standardized
• Were generally quite ineffective
Redesigned Labs
Redesigned Calculus I and II (and soon III) labs
• Meet one day a week for 75 minutes
• Are open to enrollment for students from any lecture section
• Are run by GTAs with focused training
• Encourage engagement through interactivity
• Are standardized
Structure of Redesigned Labs
• Activity Worksheet provided at start of class
– Not graded
– Separate from online homework
• Students work on problems in groups of 4-5 at the board
• Individual students present solutions
Can Underperforming Students Be Identified?
Math 1214
Fall 2013 – 468 students
Fall 2014 – 428 students
Grades compared from two dates:
• After Exam 2 (Week 8) – Excludes online homework
• End of Semester – Includes online homework
Fall 2013 A, B, C after E2 D after E2 F after E2 Total
Total Students 364 49 55 468
Passed (A, B, C)
Failed (D, F)
Withdrew
Can Underperforming Students Be Identified?
Fall 2013 A, B, C after E2 D after E2 F after E2 Total
Total Students 364 49 55 468
Passed (A, B, C) 299 4 0 303
Failed (D, F)
Withdrew
Fall 2013 A, B, C after E2 D after E2 F after E2 Total
Total Students 364 49 55 468
Passed (A, B, C) 299 4 0 303
Failed (D, F) 63 33 31 127
Withdrew
Fall 2013 A, B, C after E2 D after E2 F after E2 Total
Total Students 364 49 55 468
Passed (A, B, C) 299 4 0 303
Failed (D, F) 63 33 31 127
Withdrew 2 12 24 38
Fall 2014 A, B, C after E2 D after E2 F after E2 Total
Total Students 342 35 51 428
Passed (A, B, C)
Failed (D, F)
Withdrew
Fall 2014 A, B, C after E2 D after E2 F after E2 Total
Total Students 342 35 51 428
Passed (A, B, C) 292 3 2 297
Failed (D, F)
Withdrew
Fall 2014 A, B, C after E2 D after E2 F after E2 Total
Total Students 342 35 51 428
Passed (A, B, C) 292 3 2 297
Failed (D, F) 48 32 36 116
Withdrew
Fall 2014 A, B, C after E2 D after E2 F after E2 Total
Total Students 342 35 51 428
Passed (A, B, C) 292 3 2 297
Failed (D, F) 48 32 36 116
Withdrew 2 0 13 15
What Have Underperforming Students Done Previously?
Underperforming students have either
• Dropped before the 6 week deadline
• Changed to hearer status
• Withdrawn
• Failed the course
None of these options improved a student’s background before retaking the course.
First Attempt Pass Rate on Second Attempt
D
F
WD
HR
Second Attempt A B C D F WD HR
First Attempt: D
First Attempt: F
First Attempt: WD
First Attempt: HR
What Have Underperforming Students Done Previously?
Second Attempt A B C D F WD HR
First Attempt: D 2.70% 27.36% 42.00% 17.53% 8.09% 1.93% 0.39%
First Attempt: F
First Attempt: WD
First Attempt: HR
Second Attempt A B C D F WD HR
First Attempt: D 2.70% 27.36% 42.00% 17.53% 8.09% 1.93% 0.39%
First Attempt: F 0.62% 10.91% 24.90% 22.22% 32.92% 8.23% 0.20%
First Attempt: WD
First Attempt: HR
Second Attempt A B C D F WD HR
First Attempt: D 2.70% 27.36% 42.00% 17.53% 8.09% 1.93% 0.39%
First Attempt: F 0.62% 10.91% 24.90% 22.22% 32.92% 8.23% 0.20%
First Attempt: WD 1.27% 8.90% 28.81% 14.83% 30.09% 13.98% 2.12%
First Attempt: HR
Second Attempt A B C D F WD HR
First Attempt: D 2.70% 27.36% 42.00% 17.53% 8.09% 1.93% 0.39%
First Attempt: F 0.62% 10.91% 24.90% 22.22% 32.92% 8.23% 0.20%
First Attempt: WD 1.27% 8.90% 28.81% 14.83% 30.09% 13.98% 2.12%
First Attempt: HR 1.23% 8.59% 34.36% 18.40% 24.54% 9.20% 3.68%
First Attempt Pass Rate on Second Attempt
D 72.06%
F
WD
HR
First Attempt Pass Rate on Second Attempt
D 72.06%
F 36.42%
WD
HR
First Attempt Pass Rate on Second Attempt
D 72.06%
F 36.42%
WD 38.98%
HR
First Attempt Pass Rate on Second Attempt
D 72.06%
F 36.42%
WD 38.98%
HR 44.17%
A New Program for Underperforming Students
We are providing an option for underperforming students which
• Allows them to maintain full-time status
• Does not result in a GPA penalty
• Provides them with a structured opportunity to work on
– Deficiencies with prerequisite material
– Student success skills
Success for Calculus
• Math 1001 (future Math 1190)
• 4 credit hours (3 lecture, 1 lab)
– Same as Math 1214 (Calculus I for Engineers)
• Course Description: This course focuses on the use of college algebra and trigonometry skills within the context of calculus, providing students with the opportunity to improve their preparedness for future calculus coursework.
Success for Calculus
• Only offered pass/fail
• Begins at the end of Week 8
– Friday October 16
• Meets at the same times as Math 1214
– Four sections: 9 am, 10 am, 11 am, 1 pm
• Blended course
Success for Calculus
• Calculus I students with a grade below 70% after Exam 2 will be strongly encouraged to take the success course.
– Will not be mandated
• Replaces Calculus I on schedule and transcript.
• Students will only be allowed to take Success for Calculus one time, regardless of outcome.
Timeline for Transition
• Tuesday October 13
– Calculus I Exam 2
• Thursday October 15
– Exam 2 grades posted
– Students with below 70% notified to attend Success for Calculus on Friday
Timeline for Transition
• Friday October 16
– First meeting for Success for Calculus
• Meets at same time as Math 1214
– Students are given detailed information about the new course and strongly urged to enroll.
– One Math 1214 lecture will be recorded and made available for students who choose not to enroll in Success for Calculus.
Timeline for Transition
• Monday October 19
– Students fill out consent form during class
– Based on student consent, a list of changes will be sent by the end of the week to
• Advisors
• Registrar’s Office
– No Add/Drop Forms will be needed!
Tentative Consent Form
I choose to withdraw from Calculus I (Math 1214) and enroll in Success for Calculus (Math 1001) in order to improve my opportunity for success in mathematics at Missouri S&T. I understand that Success for Calculus is coded as Pass/Fail and that I will not receive a letter grade on my transcript, but that it will appear on my transcript. I further understand that Success for Calculus is a blended class, and it will require substantial time outside of the scheduled class meetings so that I may develop the skills necessary to achieve my goals at Missouri S&T.
Tentative Consent Form (continued)
I understand that Success for Calculus does not fulfill the Calculus I requirement, and that I will not receive credit for Calculus I this semester. I also understand that I may only enroll in Success for Calculus one time no matter the outcome of this semester.I am currently enrolled in ____ credit hours, and since Math 1214 and Math 1001 are both 4 credit hours, I will remain enrolled in this same number of credit hours.
I agree that I will use the remainder of this semester wisely and participate in all Success for Calculus learning activities.
Advising for Next Semester
Students enrolled in Success for Calculus this semester should preregister for a spring section of Calculus I.
Successful completion of Success for Calculus is not a prerequisite condition on Calculus I.
Another Look at Calculus I Success Rates
Fall 2014 – All
Total Students 428
Passed (A, B, C) 297 (69.4%)
Failed (D, F) 116 (27.1%)
Withdrew 15 (3.5%)
Fall 2014 – All Fall 2014 – New
Total Students 428 271 (63.3%)
Passed (A, B, C) 297 (69.4%) 225 (83.0%)
Failed (D, F) 116 (27.1%) 41 (15.1%)
Withdrew 15 (3.5%) 5 (1.9%)