Math Placement and Math Placement and PACPACee Program Overview Program Overview

Lois SamerLois Samer

Anita PattisonAnita Pattison

University Math RequirementUniversity Math Requirement

Category 1B of the AUCC is 3 credits Category 1B of the AUCC is 3 credits of mathematics.of mathematics.

This requirement must be completed This requirement must be completed within the first 60 credits (CSU and within the first 60 credits (CSU and transfer) taken.transfer) taken.

The student’s degree program The student’s degree program determines which math class is determines which math class is appropriate. appropriate.

Eligibility to Take Math at Eligibility to Take Math at CSUCSU

You must satisfy the prerequisite.You must satisfy the prerequisite.The prerequisite for the entry level The prerequisite for the entry level

math classes is satisfactory placement math classes is satisfactory placement from a CSU math placement exam.from a CSU math placement exam.Entry Level Math ClassesEntry Level Math Classes

MATH 117 – College Algebra IMATH 117 – College Algebra IMATH 130 – Math in the Social SciencesMATH 130 – Math in the Social SciencesMATH 133 – Financial MathematicsMATH 133 – Financial MathematicsMATH 135 – Patterns of PhenomenaMATH 135 – Patterns of Phenomena

True/FalseTrue/False

MATH 130 is harder than MATH 117.MATH 130 is harder than MATH 117.FALSE FALSE The degree of course difficulty is The degree of course difficulty is

relative to the individual student, but the relative to the individual student, but the content of MATH 117 is more challenging content of MATH 117 is more challenging than the content of MATH 130.than the content of MATH 130.

Entry level math courses in order of Entry level math courses in order of difficulty.difficulty.MATH 130 – Math in the Social SciencesMATH 130 – Math in the Social SciencesMATH 133 – Financial Mathematics/MATH 133 – Financial Mathematics/ MATH 135 – Patterns of PhenomenaMATH 135 – Patterns of PhenomenaMATH 117 – College Algebra IMATH 117 – College Algebra I

True/FalseTrue/False

MATH 130 satisfies the prerequisite MATH 130 satisfies the prerequisite for MATH 117.for MATH 117.FALSE FALSE MATH 130 is a terminal math MATH 130 is a terminal math

course. It does not satisfy the course. It does not satisfy the prerequisite for any other course.prerequisite for any other course.

The prerequisite for MATH 117 is The prerequisite for MATH 117 is satisfactory performance on a CSU math satisfactory performance on a CSU math placement exam.placement exam.

CSU Math Placement ExamsCSU Math Placement Exams

The Mathematics Placement Exam The Mathematics Placement Exam (MPE)(MPE)

The Prerequisite Exam (taken after The Prerequisite Exam (taken after completion of the Entry Level completion of the Entry Level Mathematics (ELM) Tutorial)Mathematics (ELM) Tutorial)

Math Placement ExamMath Placement Exam

All students start with the MPEAll students start with the MPEA 50 item examA 50 item examTests prerequisite background skills Tests prerequisite background skills

for entry level math coursesfor entry level math coursesAlso covers the content of the pre-Also covers the content of the pre-

calculus courses MATH 117 – 126calculus courses MATH 117 – 126

Pre-Calculus CoursesPre-Calculus Courses

MATH 117 – College Algebra IMATH 117 – College Algebra I

MATH 118 – College Algebra IIMATH 118 – College Algebra II

MATH 124 – Logarithmic and MATH 124 – Logarithmic and ExponentialExponential

FunctionsFunctions

MATH 125 – Numerical TrigonometryMATH 125 – Numerical Trigonometry

MATH 126 – Analytic TrigonometryMATH 126 – Analytic Trigonometry

MPE AttemptsMPE Attempts

Incoming students may take one Incoming students may take one time remotely prior to arrival on time remotely prior to arrival on campuscampus

Students are allowed 2 on-campus Students are allowed 2 on-campus (proctored) attempts(proctored) attempts

Students should study and do the Students should study and do the practice problems in the MPE Review practice problems in the MPE Review Materials before taking the examMaterials before taking the exam

Possible MPE ResultsPossible MPE Results

May place into May place into MATH 130 onlyMATH 130 onlyMATH 130, 133, and 135MATH 130, 133, and 135allall entry level math courses entry level math courses

May place out ofMay place out ofone or more of the pre-calculus coursesone or more of the pre-calculus coursesand possibly earn University credit for and possibly earn University credit for

one or more of the pre-calculus courses one or more of the pre-calculus courses (from a proctored attempt)(from a proctored attempt)

Default PlacementDefault Placement

All students will place into MATH 130 All students will place into MATH 130 at a minimumat a minimum

Students will need to retake the MPE Students will need to retake the MPE or the Prerequisite Exam to place or the Prerequisite Exam to place into other math coursesinto other math courses

Entry Level Math (ELM) Entry Level Math (ELM) TutorialTutorial

An online instructional program An online instructional program designed to prepare students for designed to prepare students for college level mathematicscollege level mathematics

May be completed remotelyMay be completed remotelyFree tutoring is available in the PACFree tutoring is available in the PACee

Tutoring Center during the academic Tutoring Center during the academic yearyear

Gives students access to the Gives students access to the Prerequisite ExamPrerequisite Exam

ELM TutorialELM Tutorial

Possible outcomesPossible outcomesSatisfy the University’s admission Satisfy the University’s admission

requirement in mathematics for requirement in mathematics for potential transfer studentspotential transfer students

Eligibility to take the Prerequisite ExamEligibility to take the Prerequisite ExamUnits 1-3 Units 1-3 satisfy the prerequisite for satisfy the prerequisite for

MATH 133 and MATH 135MATH 133 and MATH 135Units 1-4 Units 1-4 satisfy the prerequisite for satisfy the prerequisite for

MATH 133, MATH 135 and MATH 117MATH 133, MATH 135 and MATH 117

FAQ About the ELM TutorialFAQ About the ELM Tutorial

How long does it take to complete?How long does it take to complete?Depends on the student’s math Depends on the student’s math

background, math aptitude, and how background, math aptitude, and how effectively the student utilizes the effectively the student utilizes the TutorialTutorial

Can be completed in less than a single Can be completed in less than a single dayday

FAQ About the ELM TutorialFAQ About the ELM Tutorial

What level math does it cover?What level math does it cover?Contents begin around an 8Contents begin around an 8thth grade level grade level

and build to intermediate algebra skillsand build to intermediate algebra skills

FAQ About the ELM TutorialFAQ About the ELM Tutorial

How is it structured?How is it structured?Four units of content, each having about Four units of content, each having about

ten objectivesten objectivesThe content of each objective is The content of each objective is

presented using PDF overviews, presented using PDF overviews, instructional video clips, example instructional video clips, example problems and practice problems.problems and practice problems.

Each unit has a review exam that must Each unit has a review exam that must be passed to move onto the next unit.be passed to move onto the next unit.

FAQ About the ELM TutorialFAQ About the ELM Tutorial

Must students complete the Tutorial Must students complete the Tutorial to take the Prerequisite Exam?to take the Prerequisite Exam?Yes Yes but how much they complete but how much they complete

depends on the desired outcome.depends on the desired outcome.

FAQ About the ELM TutorialFAQ About the ELM Tutorial

How many times may students take How many times may students take the Prerequisite Exam?the Prerequisite Exam?an unlimited number of attemptsan unlimited number of attempts

FAQ About the ELM TutorialFAQ About the ELM Tutorial

Should a student retake the MPE or Should a student retake the MPE or complete the ELM Tutorial?complete the ELM Tutorial?If the algebra section of the MPE felt too If the algebra section of the MPE felt too

challenging, the student may find the challenging, the student may find the Tutorial to be a better fit.Tutorial to be a better fit.

FAQ About the ELM TutorialFAQ About the ELM Tutorial

Can the student work on the Tutorial Can the student work on the Tutorial as a review for the MPE?as a review for the MPE?Yes Yes A student may find it beneficial to A student may find it beneficial to

utilize the instruction in the Tutorial as a utilize the instruction in the Tutorial as a way to review for the MPE. But, the way to review for the MPE. But, the student should still prepare further by student should still prepare further by using the MPE review materials.using the MPE review materials.

Math Placement information Math Placement information can be found on the can be found on the

Mathematics Department Mathematics Department website.website.

www.math.colostate.eduwww.math.colostate.edu

Math Mod EvolutionMath Mod Evolution

From 1975 to 1989 the pre-calculus From 1975 to 1989 the pre-calculus courses were taught in the Math courses were taught in the Math Module System (MMS).Module System (MMS).

In 1989 the MMS evolved into the In 1989 the MMS evolved into the Individualized Mathematics Program Individualized Mathematics Program (IMP). The label ‘Math Mods’ was (IMP). The label ‘Math Mods’ was dropped.dropped.

Beginning Fall 2006 the IMP became Beginning Fall 2006 the IMP became the PACthe PACee Program. Program.

PPacedaced

AAlgebra tolgebra to

CCalculus alculus

eelectronicallylectronically

PACPACe e ProgramProgram

An online program with a An online program with a variety of instructional variety of instructional

resources to help students resources to help students learn pre-calculus learn pre-calculus

mathematicsmathematics

PACPACee Minicourses Minicourses

MATH 117 – College Algebra IMATH 117 – College Algebra I

MATH 118 – College Algebra IIMATH 118 – College Algebra II

MATH 124 – Logarithmic and MATH 124 – Logarithmic and ExponentialExponential

FunctionsFunctions

MATH 125 – Numerical TrigonometryMATH 125 – Numerical Trigonometry

MATH 126 – Analytic TrigonometryMATH 126 – Analytic Trigonometry

Mastery Based ProgramMastery Based Program

Students must ‘master’ the content Students must ‘master’ the content of each unit (earn a minimum of each unit (earn a minimum passing score) before moving on to passing score) before moving on to the next unit.the next unit.

Non-punitive in natureNon-punitive in natureUnlimited retesting Unlimited retesting Extended withdrawal deadlineExtended withdrawal deadlineGrade of U for non-completionGrade of U for non-completion

Myth or Fact?Myth or Fact?

Minicourses are self paced.Minicourses are self paced.No No Students are required to maintain Students are required to maintain

a minimum pace. a minimum pace. Students may work at a faster pace and Students may work at a faster pace and

finish earlier.finish earlier.

Myth or Fact?Myth or Fact?

Students must learn on their own.Students must learn on their own.No No There are a variety of learning There are a variety of learning

resources to help students master the resources to help students master the content of a minicourse.content of a minicourse.Printable PDFs of instruction Printable PDFs of instruction

Online instructional video clipsOnline instructional video clips

TutorsTutors

Written solutions to problems Written solutions to problems

Instructor Paced ClassesInstructor Paced Classes

Offered the first three years of the Offered the first three years of the PACPACee Program, but discontinued Fall Program, but discontinued Fall 2009 due to lack of demand.2009 due to lack of demand.

PACPACee Program Course Program Course WebsiteWebsite

http://http://online.math.colostate.eduonline.math.colostate.edu

Myth or Fact?Myth or Fact?

Students have five weeks to Students have five weeks to complete each minicourse.complete each minicourse.No No A number of factors will determine A number of factors will determine

how long a student may have to how long a student may have to complete a minicourse.complete a minicourse.

Myth or Fact?Myth or Fact?

Students can add these courses Students can add these courses anytime during the semester.anytime during the semester.No No The courses must be added during The courses must be added during

the first 5 days of classes.the first 5 days of classes.

Myth or Fact?Myth or Fact?

PACPACee minicourses are online so minicourses are online so students do not need to come to students do not need to come to campus.campus.Students can complete most of the Students can complete most of the

coursework from any computer but will coursework from any computer but will need to take proctored exams in the need to take proctored exams in the PACPACee Testing Center. Testing Center.

Many students find it advantageous to Many students find it advantageous to work at the PACwork at the PACee Center to utilize the Center to utilize the computer lab and tutors.computer lab and tutors.

Myth or Fact?Myth or Fact?

Everyone takes MATH 117, MATH Everyone takes MATH 117, MATH 118, and MATH 124.118, and MATH 124.No! No! Which three credits a student Which three credits a student

completes is entirely dependent upon completes is entirely dependent upon his/her degree program and placement his/her degree program and placement results.results.

Myth or Fact?Myth or Fact?

When a student’s schedule gets When a student’s schedule gets hectic…these courses can be put on hectic…these courses can be put on the backburner. the backburner. That is the student’s prerogative…but That is the student’s prerogative…but

there could be consequences. there could be consequences. These courses are just like all courses at These courses are just like all courses at

the University. They have requirements the University. They have requirements and deadlines the student must meet. and deadlines the student must meet.

Myth or Fact?Myth or Fact?

Students just come to the PACe Students just come to the PACe Center and take tests.Center and take tests.No No In the Math Module System and In the Math Module System and

IMP this could have been true. In the IMP this could have been true. In the PACPACee Program, the student must Program, the student must complete required coursework to be complete required coursework to be eligible to test.eligible to test.

Myth or Fact?Myth or Fact?

These classes are easy A’s.These classes are easy A’s.Maybe true, maybe not. Maybe true, maybe not.

Myth or Fact?Myth or Fact?

Students may enroll in a minicourse Students may enroll in a minicourse they have placed out of to earn they have placed out of to earn credit.credit.Yes!Yes!

PACPACee Orientation Orientation

Held during the first week of classes Held during the first week of classes each semester. each semester. 25 minute orientation explains how the 25 minute orientation explains how the

PACPACee Program works Program worksAnnounced in the Class ScheduleAnnounced in the Class ScheduleStudents typically receive 2 email Students typically receive 2 email

notificationsnotificationsOrientation schedule posted on the Orientation schedule posted on the

PACPACee website website

PACPACee Program Website Program Website

www.math.colostate.eduwww.math.colostate.edu