Award Abstract # 0511562
Renewal of College Algebra

NSF Org: DUE
Division Of Undergraduate Education
Recipient: THE MATHEMATICAL ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA (INCORPORATED)
Initial Amendment Date: August 11, 2005
Latest Amendment Date: August 11, 2005
Award Number: 0511562
Award Instrument: Standard Grant
Program Manager: Dennis Davenport
DUE
 Division Of Undergraduate Education
EDU
 Directorate for STEM Education
Start Date: August 15, 2005
End Date: July 31, 2009 (Estimated)
Total Intended Award Amount: $174,940.00
Total Awarded Amount to Date: $174,940.00
Funds Obligated to Date: FY 2005 = $174,940.00
History of Investigator:
  • J Michael Pearson (Principal Investigator)
    pearson@maa.org
  • Norma Agras (Co-Principal Investigator)
Recipient Sponsored Research Office: Mathematical Association of America
11 DUPONT CIRCLE NW
WASHINGTON
DC  US  20036-1206
(202)387-5200
Sponsor Congressional District: 00
Primary Place of Performance: Mathematical Association of America
11 DUPONT CIRCLE NW
WASHINGTON
DC  US  20036-1206
Primary Place of Performance
Congressional District:
00
Unique Entity Identifier (UEI): TY44D55D6B65
Parent UEI:
NSF Program(s): Advanced Tech Education Prog,
CCLI-ADAPTATION AND IMPLEMENTA
Primary Program Source:
Program Reference Code(s): 1032, 9178, SMET
Program Element Code(s): 741200, 742800
Award Agency Code: 4900
Fund Agency Code: 4900
Assistance Listing Number(s): 47.076

ABSTRACT

Mathematical Sciences (21)

The Mathematical Association of America's College Algebra Renewal project is supporting pilot sections of modeling-based college algebra courses at eleven partner institutions and conducting a cross-institutional study to determine the success of the pilot courses.

Intellectual Merit
The need for mathematical and statistical understanding by students in disciplines traditionally considered non-quantitative has grown enormously, yet far too many students are unsuccessful in traditional college algebra courses, or are unable to apply skills learned in the course in the context of other fields. There is some preliminary evidence that modeling-oriented, application-based college algebra courses that take advantage of modern computational tools may better-serve students than the traditional college algebra course. With professional development support provided through this project, eleven colleges and universities are developing and offering pilot sections of modeling-based college algebra courses and supporting a national study determining the impact of these courses on students by comparing student performance and success rates in subsequent courses to those of students in traditional sections.

Broader Impact
Participating institutions have agreed to offer a total of 102 pilot sections over the two-semester implementation phase for this project, with at least as many control sections. Based on the evaluation of the pilot sections, successful practices are then being implemented in other college algebra sections. The MAA is committed to communicating the results of this project to the broader mathematical community, and encouraging all departments to review and make appropriate changes to their college algebra courses.

Please report errors in award information by writing to: awardsearch@nsf.gov.

Print this page

Back to Top of page