Success in Introductory Calculus: The Role of High School and Pre-calculus Preparation

Abstract

Calculus at the college level has significantpotential to serve as a pump for increasing the number of students majoring inSTEM fields. It is a foundation course for all STEM majors and, if mastered well,should provide students with a positive and successful first-year experienceand gateway into more advanced courses. Studies have shown that a high percentage of studentsfailing college calculus has caused a shortage of individuals entering fieldsthat are heavily dependent on mathematics. Many students are entering collegeill-prepared for the rigors of college-level mathematics. This mixed methods studyexamines the relationship among high school preparation, additional preparationin college, and introductory calculus success. Using a convenience sample of three calculus professors, seven calculusteaching assistants and two hundred and seventy one calculus students at a largepublic mid-west university in the United States, we investigated the relationshipbetween the amount and level of high school mathematics and student performancein college calculus. Our results suggest that goodpreparations in high school pre-calculus form a springboard for future successin college calculus as well as subsequent advanced mathematics courses.