Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Understanding The Transition From Secondary Education Mathematics To Undergraduate Mathematics, Amanda D. Stenzelbarton

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Michigan Technological University had a collective 28% drop, fail, or withdraw rate in four predominantly first-year mathematics classes for the fall semesters from 2011 to 2015, with 58% of students dropping, failing, or withdrawing from College Algebra I in the fall of 2013. A survey was distributed via email to the 2015-2016 first year class of Michigan Tech in an attempt to determine why students struggle in making the transition from high school to undergraduate mathematics class, and what instructors can do to make this transition easier for students. It was found that the time between a student’s last high …