A study of mathematics placement in a school of business

Geraldine A Moultine, Wayne State University

Abstract

The problem of new students being underprepared for college level mathematics is common from community colleges to universities. The ability of the university to correctly select the first mathematics course taken by a student is critical to the student's success, the goal of earning a bachelor's degree. There is not a common process of placement. Some institutions use placement tests developed in house. Others use commercial tests. Some use computerized systems and some used pen and paper instruments. Some use ACT or SAT mathematics scores. Others use a combination of two or more assessments. There is not a lot of published data available with regards to the success of the placement processes, only an agreement on their necessity. The literature shows the reasons are as varied as the solutions. The goal of this research was to investigate how effective ACT mathematics sub scores are when used to determine the first mathematics course. The data was collected from new, FTIAC students at Northwood University in Midland, Michigan in the fall of 2004 All students in the cohort submitted ACT test scores during the admission process. Case study methodology was used with archived data from three sources, interviews, CSEQ surveys and electronic student records. The principal investigator tracked grades and success rates in remedial and required courses. Chi-squared tests for independence of variables were used to determine if grades and retention were related to ACT mathematics scores and student perceptions. The distributions of grades for developmental and nondevelopmental students were compared as well as retention rates for these two groups. Grades in college courses were found to be related to ACT mathematics scores. Students tended to believe they were placed in courses that were too easy not too hard. The researcher concluded that the ACT mathematics sub scores were a valuable predictive tool with limitations. They are a good early indicator of success in college mathematics courses.

Recommended Citation

Geraldine A Moultine, "A study of mathematics placement in a school of business" (January 1, 2009). ETD Collection for Wayne State University. Paper AAI3354990.
http://digitalcommons.wayne.edu/dissertations/AAI3354990