Why is college attendance a good idea?

No High School Diploma $19,140 Annual Income High School Diploma $27,235 Annual Income Bachelor’s Degree $46,931 Annual Income Advanced Degree $57,409 Annual Income Source: 2006 American Community Survey, U.S. Census If you don’t believe me, look it up. Median Income by Educational Attainment - Washington State, 2006

What do you learn in math classes?

Habits of Mind

Demonstrates intellectual engagement Takes responsibility for own learning Perseveres when faced with time-consuming or complex tasks Pays attention to detail These characteristics describe me perfectly. They can describe you too... no matter which math class you chose!

Connection to college?

“Of all pre-college curricula, the highest level of mathematics one studies in secondary school has the strongest continuing influence on bachelors degree completion..” Adelman, C Answers in the Tool Box: Academic Intensity, Attendance Patterns, and Bachelor's Degree Attainment. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Education.

Is the level of high school math learning important?

What if you take a placement test, but don’t place into college-level math?

Developmental vs. College-Level Mathematics Coursework Pre-Algebra Courses (Community Colleges) Basic Algebra Courses Intermediate Algebra Courses Precalculus Math for Liberal Arts Finite Math Math for Elem. Ed. Probability/ Statistics Other Developmental Math Courses bring a student up to college level. They do not transfer or count for college credit. Why does it matter?

more time to degree The cost of placement into developmental mathematics… more money more frustration in college courses that use mathematics

A Closer Look at the Costs # of Dev. Ed. Classes Taken Additional cost at SCC or SFCC* Additional cost at EWU* Additional cost at WSU* 1$370.50$713$1470 2$741$1426$2940 3$ $2139$4410 4$1482$2852$5880 * Based on tuition rates for 5 undergraduate credits.

Math Placement at SFCC and SCC 2005 High School Graduates for school year District/ Schools SpokaneMead Central Valley Cheney, EV, Gonzaga, Lakeside, WV, Valley Christian SFCC PreColl. 84.5%83.4%89.5%83.9% College 15.5%16.6%10.5%16.1% SCC PreColl. 98.6%90.9%97.4%91.8% College 1.4%9.1%2.6%8.2% August 14, Source: SFCC Institutional Research

August 14, Success rates in Coursework for recent HS graduates during the first year of College (Success being a 2.0 or better) students who graduated the year prior Source: SFCC Institutional Research

Math Placement at EWU for 2006 High School Graduates for school year District/ Schools SpokaneMead Central Valley Cheney, EV, Gonzaga, Lakeside, WV, Valley Christian All Students EWU PreColl. 33.1%24.3%28.8%33.1%39.9% College 43.5%40.5%49.2%55.9%40.3% No Test 23.4%35.1%22.0%11.0%19.8% August 14, Source: EWU Institutional Research

SFCC – Students beginning PreCollege Mathematics in First CourseMath 90Math 91Math 92Math 99 Number % of group who eventually pass Math 99 11%29%44%67% Overall % of students starting in Math 90, 91, 92 or 99 successfully completed Math 99. August 14, The higher students start, the better chance they have of success in PreCollege Mathematics Source: SFCC Institutional Research Report

SCC – Asset Placement for First-time freshman excluding Running Start Recommended Placement Math 20/21Math 91Math 96Math 99 Below Min. Cutoff Number % of total 36%39%17%4%3% % of group who eventually pass Math 99 8%31%48%89%38% Overall, 29% of these students eventually passed Math 99 August 14, The higher students start, the better chance they have of success in PreCollege Mathematics Source: SCC Institutional Research Report

This chart shows a lot of things, but mostly that Calculus students are best prepared for college. If you’re not ready for Calculus, don’t worry…but do take a math class!

If I do well in Precalculus, will I do well in Calculus?

______ of the students who pass Pre-Calculus do not pass their next Calculus course ______ of the students who had an A in Pre- Calculus completed Calculus with an A. Approx _____ of the students who had a A in Pre-Calculus did not pass Calculus Approx _____ of the students with a C or C+ failed Calculus Pre-Calculus is a critical math course for many college majors.

Half of the students who pass Pre-Calculus do not pass their next Calculus course 29% of the students who had an A in Pre- Calculus completed Calculus with an A. Approx 30% of the students who had a A in Pre- Calculus did not pass Calculus Approx 70% of the students with a C or C+ failed Calculus Pre-Calculus is a critical math course for many college majors.

Did you know that more than 80 % of high school graduates say they would work harder, and take tougher courses, if they could do high school over again?

“I really think math should be a four-year requirement. If I had had a better experience in high school, I would have been more successful in college-level math.” Jill placed into Basic Algebra (a developmental course) at EWU in the Fall of 2005.

Take math seriously. Retain as much as you can, or you will just be wasting time in high school. You'll also be wasting time in college trying to catch up. Take math. It's worth it !