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Evidence Is Mounting That Calculus Should Be Changed. Will Instructors Heed It?

ED Surge

Calculus is a critical on-ramp to careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Good news: There's mounting evidence that changing calculus instruction works for the groups usually pushed out of STEM. That the traditional lecture method of teaching calculus isn’t as effective as active models.

Calculus 291
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Colleges Can Make Calculus a Gateway — Not a Gatekeeper — to STEM Fields

ED Surge

But neither will happen unless we address the fundamental gatekeeper to all STEM fields: undergraduate calculus. But the pathway to careers in science and technology is anything but user-friendly, as revealed by the sheer number of college students opting to switch out of a STEM major after facing a college calculus class.

Calculus 358
educators

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The Math Revolution You Haven’t Heard About

ED Surge

Math professor Martin Weissman is rethinking how his university teaches calculus. Some educators place a share of the blame on calculus courses, which can push out otherwise interested students. Meanwhile, the calculus instruction has to be slowed down enough that it’s not as effective for math people as it could be. “I

Math 362
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Why Do Underrepresented Students Struggle to Get the Math They Need for College?

ED Surge

Students who don’t know that colleges prioritize calculus find themselves at a disadvantage in college admissions, according to “ Integral Voices: Examining Math Experiences of Underrepresented Students ,” a recent report from Just Equations, a California-based policy institute focused on making math more equitable.

Math 214
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UCLA Life Sciences Revamped How It Teaches Math. Is It an Example Others Should Follow?

ED Surge

It was from his dean, who said that the department had inspected their freshman calculus course, “Calculus for Life Sciences.” At least partly, the UCLA program’s success has been attributed to the fact that it cut the department’s calculus prerequisites, which proponents of the LS 30 course characterize as “weed out” measures.

Math 318
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Newton Schools Foundation seeks donations for Calculus Project

Newton STEM

The Calculus Project works in all of Newton’s middle and high schools to have more Hispanic, African American, and low-income students successfully complete calculus in high school, as a path to success in college. The program provides intensive, small-group summer classes, enrichment activities, and year-round mentoring and tutoring.

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Newton Schools Foundation Seeks Donations to Expand Calculus Project

Newton STEM

The Calculus Project works in all of Newton’s middle and high schools to have more Hispanic, African American, and low-income students successfully complete calculus in high school, as a path to success in college. The program provides intensive, small-group summer classes, enrichment activities, and year-round mentoring and tutoring.