News Roundup

Today, we at the Academic Success Press Blog launch a new feature, which we hope will keep our readers abreast of recent events in the world of mathematics education. Every two weeks, we will aggregate stories from around the nation, which we find either interesting, important, or even distressing. Today, we present several recent stories about the transition between high school and college math.
 
Chicago Tribune: “New math course would aim to boost students’ skills in Elmwood Park”
Here, Pioneer Press reports on the efforts of a Chicago-area high school to prepare struggling math students for college placement exams. The school now offers a “mathematical modeling and application” course, which it hopes will help students avoid developmental mathematics courses during their first year of college.

Daily Miner: “Mohave Community College launches math readiness program”
Here, Aaron Ricca describes how an Arizona community college plans to help outgoing high school students determine their ability to learn college mathematics.

KOSU: “Should Oklahoma Require More Math in High School?”
Here, Oklahoma Watch and Jennifer Palmer cover a recent debate in Oklahoma between public officials regarding the amount of math courses students should take in preparation for college.

The Atlantic: “The Common High-School Tool That’s Banned in College”
Here, William Pang discusses the reluctance of certain universities to allow the use of graphing calculators. It also provides a brief but enlightening history of calculator ownership between the late-1970's and modern times.

KOMO News: “Why Stem is the Secret to Success—For Washington and Its Youth”
Here, KOMO-TV discusses, among other topics, a general aversion to math among young students.  It is one part of an ongoing investigation into job availability and the long-term career choices made by incoming college freshmen.