UWL Common Math Cut Sore Campus Plan At the University of

UWL Common Math Cut Sore Campus Plan

At the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse (UWL), the Department of Mathematics and Statistics currently offers a variety

of introductory credit-bearing general education mathematics courses in order to meet the needs of all students. These

courses include MTH 123 Mathematics for Decision Making, MTH 135 Mathematics for Elementary Teachers I, STAT 145

Elementary Statistics, and MTH 150 College Algebra. The first three courses are designed for students majoring in the

social sciences or humanities (MTH 123 and STAT 145) and elementary education (MTH 135). Students who fall below a

math placement score for these courses currently take one or more of three remedial mathematics courses including

STAT 045, MTH 050, and MTH 051.

In light of the new UW System Common Cut Score for the Mathematics Placement Test (MPT), the UWL Remedial

Mathematics Committee is currently working on the three critical areas outlined below. The committee has recognized

both the short time frame and the limited amount of information to make detailed progress on these three areas.

Critical Area #1 Set the cut score for all remedial courses (MTH 050 and MTH 051), introductory credit-bearing general

education courses (MTH 123, MTH 135, and STAT 145), and higher-level courses for which MTH 150 serves as a pre-

requisite (MTH 151 PreCalculus, MTH 175 Applied Calculus, and MTH 207 Calculus I).

The committee recommends using the following new placement cut scores based on the preliminary math cuts score

mapping from UW Center for Placement Testing (August, 2016). It is important to note, that these cut scores are still

under consideration based on an analysis of data and more detailed information on the content changes in the MPT.

MFUND

AALG

TAG

Placement

150-395

150-850

MTH 050

395-470

150-850

MTH 051, MTH 123, MTH 135, STAT 145, MTH 150++

470-850

150-485

150-850

MTH 123, MTH 135, STAT 145, MTH 150

470-850

486-555

150-545

MTH 123, MTH 135, STAT 145, MTH 150, MTH 151, MTH 175

470-850

556-850

546-850

MTH 123, MTH 135, STAT 145, MTH 150, MTH 151, MTH 175,

MTH 207

Remaining Questions:

a. Is the MFUND 395 cut score a good gauge to differentiate between MTH 050 and MTH 051?

b. How are other universities factoring in ACT Math sub-scores in the placement process?

c. What does the UWL data show about student success on MTH 150 based on variables such as ACT math sub-

score, placement test cut scores, and other factors?

Critical Area #2: Outline MTH 150 pathway options for students falling below the UW System common cut score.

For students with a MFUND cut score between 395 and 469, the committee recommends two pathways be considered

for students who wish to take MTH 150 College Algebra

1. Students may elect to take the traditional remedial math route by completing MTH 051 prior to enrolling in MTH

150.

2. Students may elect a co-requisite course option for MTH 150 College Algebra (tentatively termed MTH 150++).

In this option, students would register for both MTH 150 and a modified MTH 051 course (total of 5-6 credits). In

these special sections of MTH 150++ the number of students may be lower than the traditional course and

students will be provided with targeted support to help deepen their knowledge and skills related to College

Algebra, as well as model habits of mind necessary for college-level course material.[1]

3. Incoming freshman may elect to participate in the summer bridge FastTrack Program. In this program, students

complete a 6-week online math course during the summer prior to retaking the math placement exam before

the start of the fall semester.