1. Should There be an Algebra Course for Non-STEM Majors?
AMATYC Conference 2016
Rob Farinelli

2. There are many questions about this topic and this presentation does not have all of the answers!
Yes, the algebra sequence for STEM majors needs some revision as well!
Two DISCLOSURES

3. Think – Pair – Share Portion 
Consider the entire two-year college sequence of algebra courses …
What is the one topic that should be tossed out? (PINK)
What is theone topic that needs more attention? (YELLOW)
Think – Pair – Share Portion 

4. Some Background Data According to the 2015 CBMS Survey …
College Algebra Enrollment at 292,000
Add 13,000 if you include a combined College Algebra/Trig
Add 87,000 if you include Pre-Calculus
Statistics Enrollment at 250,000
Intermediate Algebra at 299,000
Elementary Algebra at 277,000
Some Background Data

5. College Algebra (from 2010 CBMS, page147)
Percentage of departments that offer College Algebra – 84%
Purpose of College Algebra
Prepare students for Trig, or Mainstream Calculus – 84%
Prepare students for Business Calculus (non Mainstream) – 55%
Strengthen general quantitative literacy – 73%
Provide an option to students taking no further math – 68%
Course content primarily taught through modeling and problem solving – 26%
College Algebra (from 2010 CBMS, page147)

6. What Does the Traditional Algebra Sequence Prepare Students for?
Surveys show that somewhere between 7% and 20% of college students actually enroll in a Calculus class.
What about the rest??
What Does the Traditional Algebra Sequence Prepare Students for?

7. Some Alternate Programs
Carnegie’s Quantway/Statway
Dana Center’s New Mathway Project
The Right Stuff College Algebra Project
New Life Developmental Mathematics Revival
Numerous state and local alternate Pathways programs
Some Alternate Programs

8. But What about an Alternative Algebra Course?
What is the prerequisite?
How does it fit into the current track – OR – should it even??
Who would take this course?
How can we still develop algebraic thinking and reasoning?
Many students feel algebra is too difficult to understand and not too useful.
But What about an Alternative Algebra Course?

9. What About Those Not Taking Calculus?
Can we offer a different course?
One that is NOT watered-down
One that is mathematically rigorous
One that has relevant content
One that can appeal to many different majors
If algebra is taught with sense-making as a goal, its power in solving many types of problems is apparent.
What About Those Not Taking Calculus?

10. Differing Perceptions
What words do students use to describe an algebra course?
What words do faculty use to describe an algebra course?
Differing Perceptions

12. What Should NOT Be Included??
Subtract:
Simplify:
What Should NOT Be Included??

13. What Should Be Included?
Algebra as a Symbolic Language
Algebra as Generalized Arithmetic
Recognizing Patterns
Functions and Algebra
Slope, Linear Functions, and Proportional Reasoning
Non-Linear Functions
What Should Be Included?

15. Administration and Logistics
Transfer Issues
State Issues (meeting gen ed requirements)
Advising
Course Offerings
Administration and Logistics

16. Enjoy the rest of the conference Contact Information: Rob Farinelli
Thanks for attending!