College and Career Readiness (660)

Transcription

1 College and Career Readiness (660)

2 Table of Contents Introduction...3 Planning for Success in College Math...4 The Math Placement Exam...5 Sample SFCC Math Placement Exam Using Calculators How Math Placement Works...10 Managing a College Schedule Scheduling for Success...13 SFCC Contacts...13 Parent Acknowledgement Form...14 Nondiscrimination and Accommodations Policy State Fair Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status, or age in its programs and activities or in employment. The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policy: Director of Human Resources, Hopkins Student Services Center, (660) , or Dean of Student and Academic Support Services, Hopkins Student Services Center, (660) The Hopkins Center is located on SFCC s Sedalia campus at 3201 W. 16th St., Sedalia, MO Inquiries also may be directed to the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights at OCR.KansasCity@ed.gov. Interested persons may obtain information as to the existence and location of services, activities and facilities at State Fair Community College that are accessible to and usable by persons with disabilities by contacting the Access Advisor, Student Services Office, Hopkins Student Services Center, SFCC, 3201 W. 16th Street, Sedalia, MO 65301, (660) We re smoke-free. State Fair Community College limits smoking and the use of tobacco products to personal vehicles parked or driven on designated college parking areas and roads. Financial assistance for this publication provided by The National Science Foundation. Accreditation SFCC is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association s Academic Quality Improvement Program. Board of Trustees Gary Noland, President Judy Parkhurst, Vice President Randall D. Eaton, Treasurer Kip Salmon, Secretary Ron Wineinger, Trustee Patricia Wood, Trustee President Dr. Joanna Anderson Contributors Kim Miller, SFCC mathematics instructor Pat Gillman, project manager SFCC College and Career Readiness State Fair Community College Some content in this publication used with permission of St. Charles Community College. 9/2013

3 Introduction This book is the result of partnerships between State Fair Community College and area high schools. To prepare for college, it is important for high school students to understand the math placement process. Math placement scores determine how many math courses students will need to take in college, which impacts the number of semesters needed to complete required math courses for a degree path. Placement tests, such as ACT or COMPASS, measure how well students are prepared for college-level courses. It is recommended that students take a placement exam as early as the fall of junior year. By taking a placement exam at this early stage, students can discover what their college math placement is at that point in time. If ACT or COMPASS scores indicate placement into basic skill math courses, students still have junior and senior years in which to improve math skills. Colleges and universities recommend that high school students take a math class every year, including senior year. It is important to understand that basic skill courses in college do not count toward a degree or as electives. Basic skill math courses prepare students for college-level math. Students placing in basic skill courses take longer to graduate from college because they need additional courses to improve skills necessary for success in college-level coursework. The information in this book will help students and their families become more knowledgeable about the college-level math placement process and the steps that can be taken in high school to ensure successful math placement. With this knowledge collegebound students will understand the value of choosing appropriate math classes in high school and the importance of achieving a high placement in college math courses. The goal in math preparation is to ensure students are prepared to the best of their abilities so they can achieve their college dreams in a timely manner. ~ 3 ~

4 Planning for Success in College Math Beginning high school Prior to junior year of high school Senior year of high school After graduation Taking college math classes Transferring to a four-year institution Take math seriously. Know basic arithmetic skills as well as algebraic skills with and without a calculator. Focus on making good grades. Continue to take math seriously and make good grades. Take the SFCC placement exam to understand current skill level. Take the ACT. Take math classes! Take the ACT again. Continue to make good grades and review often basic arithmetic skills (without a calculator). Apply to colleges. Take a math placement exam soon after graduation to enhance early enrollment. College math courses fill quickly, and late enrollment leaves fewer choices. Allow at least two hours to complete the placement exam, and take it seriously. At SFCC, the first COMPASS or ASSET placement test is free. Either test, or combination of tests, may be taken twice in any semester; however, the student must pay the placement retest fee and wait one week before retaking another placement exam. The goal is to place students in the class that offers the best chance for success. After starting the math sequence, stay in it. Do not take breaks between courses in the math sequence if possible. At SFCC, use the Academic Tutoring and Computer Lab to get help when needed for free. ( sfccmo.edu/pages/983.asp) Attend class and visit instructors during office hours as needed. SFCC math students have reported successful transitions into four-year colleges and universities! ~ 4 ~

5 The Math Placement Exam All entering college freshmen and transfer students who have not yet obtained either a 23 sub-score on the math portion of the ACT or a grade of C or better in a college transfer math course are required to take a math placement exam. Students who have a sub-score of 23 or above on the math portion of the ACT will automatically be placed into College Algebra and do not need to take the math placement exam.* SFCC s math placement tool is an ACT product called COMPASS; exam results are used to place students into the math course that corresponds to current math skill levels. For the COMPASS placement exam, the on-screen calculator may be used; however, knowledge of basic mathematical concepts including computation with fractions, decimals and signed numbers is still a necessary prerequisite skill. SFCC recommends that all high school students continually review basic computation skills and take math senior year to maintain and retain math skills prior to entering college. The following Web sites provide practice exercises for preparing for the COMPASS math placement exam. Try working these exercises without using a calculator. Select COMPASS Test Practice from the Free Practice Tests menu, then choose appropriate modules. Select Mathematics then select content areas to view short sample tests OR select PDF versions that provide more sample questions. This math site is offered through the University of Missouri-Columbia and provides many sample tests. There is no charge to initially take the SFCC math placement exam with a current admissions application on file. There is also no time limit on this exam, which allows students to give each problem full effort. If a student wants to place into a higher level course, the placement exam may be taken a second time. Students taking the exam for a second time are subject to a retake test fee and must wait at least one week before retaking the exam. A passing score must be obtained in order to be placed into the next level course. On the following page, a sample math placement exam is provided. Use the score from this sample test to determine future math placement at State Fair Community College on page 10. *All Missouri public community colleges have the same placement score requirements. ~ 5 ~

6 Sample SFCC Math Placement Exam Complete each of the following problems and circle the letter next to the best answer. For this test, do not use a calculator. 1. Kim is five years older than Jeff. The sum of their ages is 65. How old is Jeff? a. 30 b. 35 c. 13 d. 32 e. None of the above 2. Sam bought a new television for $1,020. The city charged him a 5% tax for buying an electronic item. How much tax did Sam pay the city? a. $204 b. $1071 c. $510 d. $51 e. None of the above 3. If x = 1, what is the value of x 2 x 1 5+x? 1 a b c d. 0.5 e. None of the above ~ 6 ~

7 4. Which is a factor of x 2 2x 35? a. x+7 b. x-7 c. x-5 d. x+2 e. x Simplify a. b c. 14 d e. None of the above 6. Solve for x: x x = -22 x a. x = -8 b. No solution c. x = 3 d. x = -3 e. x = -16 ~ 7 ~

8 Using Calculators When Taking Placement Exams Students are allowed to use calculators when taking placement exams; however, testing staff report that many students take the test without any knowledge or little knowledge of how to use them. Below are some policies for taking the ACT and/or COMPASS exam and using a calculator. Take the short quiz on page 9 to test your ability using a calculator to work math problems. Permitted Calculators Students may use any four-function, scientific, or graphing calculator, unless it has features described in the Prohibited Calculators list. For models on the Calculators Permitted with Modification list, students will be required to modify some of the calculator s features. Prohibited Calculators The following types of calculators are prohibited: Calculators with built-in computer algebra systems Prohibited calculators in this category include: Texas Instruments: All model numbers that begin with TI-89 or TI-92 and the TI-Nspire CAS. Note: The TI-Nspire (non-cas) is permitted.* Hewlett-Packard: HP 48GII and all model numbers that begin with HP 40G, HP 49G, or HP 50G Casio: Algebra fx 2.0, ClassPad 300 and ClassPad 330, and all model numbers that begin with CFX-9970G Handheld, tablet, or laptop computers, including PDAs Electronic writing pads or pen-input devices Note: The Sharp EL 9600 is permitted. Calculators built into cell phones or any other electronic communication devices Calculators with a typewriter keypad (letter keys in QWERTY format) Note: Letter keys not in QWERTY format are permitted. * Using the TI-89 is the most common reason students are dismissed from the ACT for prohibited calculator use. Calculators Permitted with Modification The following types of calculators are permitted but only after they are modified as noted: Calculators with paper tape remove the tape. Calculators that make noise turn off the sound. Calculators with an infrared data port completely cover the infrared data port with heavy opaque material such as duct tape or electrician s tape (includes Hewlett- Packard HP 38G series, HP 39G series, and HP 48G). Calculators that have power cords remove all power/electrical cords. ~ 8 ~

9 Using Calculators in College Math Classes What type of calculator is required for college-level classes? A scientific calculator is the best choice for classes such as Algebra. It has all the functions necessary for classes up to and including College Algebra. Scientific calculators are readily available and generally cost around $10. Some colleges and universities do have specific calculator requirements for certain courses, even Algebra, so it is important to check this before a class begins. Graphing calculators, which are expensive, may be required. Before purchasing any calculator for college, consult instructors course syllabi pertaining to the course(s) to see exactly what calculator requirements are listed. Are you calculator-ready? Take the following short quiz with your calculator to see if you have the expertise necessary to work calculator problems at the college algebra level ) 4 (Write your answer as a mixed number and an improper fraction.) 2) 2 5[-3(4 + 2) 7] 3) ) 6! 5) 27-1 (Round answer to the nearest hundredth.) 6) 7 (Round answer to the nearest hundredth.) 3 7) 284 (Round answer to the nearest hundredth.) 8) 28 3/4 (Round answer to the nearest hundredth.) 9) e 3 (Round answer to the nearest hundredth.) 10) log 7 (Round answer to the nearest hundredth) 11) Bonus Question: log 5 3 (Round answer to the nearest thousandth.) Answers: ) 2, 2) 127 3) 537,824 4) 720 5) ) ) ) ) ) ) (Hint: Most calculators will not find this type of logarithm directly. A calculator is only as knowledgeable as its user. You must know how to change the base in order to make it work. If you don t know how, keep studying your math and one day you will!) ~ 9 ~

10 How Math Placement Works Write the score from the sample SFCC math placement test on page 6 here: of six. A score less than 3 will likely place a student into a basic skill math course. A score of 3, 4, or 5 will likely place a student into Elementary or Intermediate Algebra. Another way to determine future math placement at SFCC is to use the ACT math sub-score. Write the ACT math sub-score here (if the test has been taken): An ACT math sub-score of less than 21 will likely place a student into a basic skill math course. An ACT math sub-score of 21 or 22 indicates that a student will likely be placed into Intermediate Algebra. An ACT math sub-score greater than 22 will place a student into College Algebra. There are four courses at State Fair Community College that precede College Algebra. The first three of these courses are considered to be basic skill math courses. (The BSKL prefix refers to Basic Skills. ) These courses do not count toward degree completion but do count toward a student s overall Grade Point Average. BSKL 004: Introduction to Basic Skills Math BSKL 061: Basic Math Lab BSKL 064: Elementary Algebra MATH 112: Intermediate Algebra For most college programs, College Algebra is the course required to earn an Associate of Arts (AA) transfer degree. Intermediate Algebra, the class preceding College Algebra in the math course sequence, does satisfy the math requirement for students pursuing an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree. The purpose of placement scores is to place students in math courses that match their current skill level. ~ 10 ~

11 Managing a College Schedule This is a typical class schedule for an incoming freshman at State Fair Community College. This student is taking five classes, each of which meets for three hours per week, for a total of 15 credit hours. The general rule for study time per week is two hours outside of class for every one hour in class. Typical Semester Schedule Class Credit hours Study hours per week ENGL 101: English Composition I 3 6 POLS 101: American/National Government 3 6 PSY 101: General Psychology 3 6 MATH 114: College Algebra 3 6 SS 104: College Skills 3 6 Total Time Management Tool On the schedule below, shade in the appropriate 30 hours of study time. Time Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday 7:00 7:30 8:00 8:30 9:00 9:30 10:00 10:30 11:00 11:30 12:00 12:30 1:00 1:30 2:00 2:30 3:00 3:30 4:00 4:30 5:00 5:30 ENGL 101 POLS 101 MATH 114 PSY 101 SS 104 ENGL 101 POLS 101 MATH 114 PSY 101 SS 104 ENGL 101 POLS 101 MATH 114 A student taking 12 or more credit hours is considered a full-time student and it s easy to see why! ~ 11 ~

12 Managing a College Schedule Now it s your turn. This page is for you to use as you plan your first semester. Your First Semester Schedule Class Credit hours Study hours per week Total Time Management Tool On the schedule below, shade in your class times AND appropriate hours of study time. Time Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday 7:00 7:30 8:00 8:30 9:00 9:30 10:00 10:30 11:00 11:30 12:00 12:30 1:00 1:30 2:00 2:30 3:00 3:30 4:00 4:30 5:00 5:30 6:00 6:30 ~ 12 ~

13 Scheduling for Success Once you become a college student, your time will not only be spent in class but also studying outside of the classroom. Many college students have part-time or even fulltime jobs. Sports, hobbies, club activities, family commitments these are all important aspects of a well-rounded lifestyle. Be sure and include them in your weekly schedule. Time management is an important skill in maintaining a healthy lifestyle in college and beyond. As you begin to think about your future as a college student, it is helpful to consider your schedule score. Schedule Score 1. Number of credit hours for the semester: 2. Now, multiply this number by 3 3. Number of hours per week you expect to work: 4. Any other regular commitments of your time: (hours per week) Add lines 2, 3, and 4 to get your schedule score: If this total equals more than 60 hours, you are setting the stage for a stressful semester. Refer to the scheduling exercise on the previous page to see if you can also schedule time for work and any other regular commitments of your time. By recognizing in advance how your time will be spent, you can manage your time in a better, less stressful way. Sample SFCC Math Placement Test Answer Key: 1. a 2. d 3. c 4. b 5. d 6. a SFCC Contact Information For questions about scheduling a placement exam, contact the Testing and Career Center Yeater Learning Center, Room 171 (660) For questions about the dual credit program, contact the College and Career Readiness Office Hopkins Student Services Center, Room 753 (660) For questions about SFCC math courses, contact Kimberley Miller, mathematics instructor, Yeater Room, 145 (660) kmiller@sfccmo.edu College and Career Readiness Office Hopkins Student Services Center, Room 753 (660) For questions about degrees and programs, contact the Advising and Resource Center Hopkins Student Services Center, Room 750 (660) or (660) For questions about applying to SFCC, contact Admissions Hopkins Student Services Center, Room 750 (660) Fax (660) ~ 13 ~

14 Acknowledgement Form Dear Parents: We hope from your review of this book you were able to obtain an understanding of the math preparation required for students entering college. This book and its activities have been used by other colleges working in partnership with high schools and have resulted in great success. If your child plans to use A+ funding to cover tuition costs in college, you may want to check with your high school counselor and/or A+ coordinator to determine the current Missouri legislation concerning high school Algebra classes and A+ eligibility. There may be a specific requirement regarding passing end-of-course assessments in some Algebra classes to qualify for the funding. Knowing this ahead of time will give your child an opportunity to meet the eligibility requirements and take advantage of A+ funding. If you have questions about the material covered in this book, please contact your high school counselor, A+ coordinator or the SFCC Director of College and Career Readiness at (660) We are all working together to help students be successful in post-secondary education, and you are invited to join us in this worthwhile activity. Please sign below to acknowledge you have had an opportunity to review Successful College Math Preparation and return this page to the counselor at your student s high school. Student s Name Parent Signature Date ~ 14 ~

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