Questions tagged [usa]
For questions that (at least in part) are specific to the United States of America.
71
questions
13
votes
5
answers
3k
views
Why are volumes of revolution typically taught in Calculus 2 and not Calculus 3?
Solids of revolution are typically taught in Calculus II for most undergraduate students or in AP Calculus BC for most high school students. However, it seems to me that this topic is far more ...
- 133
4
votes
1
answer
364
views
How can a church or other non-academic institution find and hire math teachers?
We'd like to set up a remedial math program in our church. To do so, we would need to hire at least two teachers who could design courses in middle school and high school math, and teach them.
I'm a ...
5
votes
3
answers
690
views
What is a corequisite course?
My department has eliminated its remedial mathematics courses and implemented a corequisite system.
I did not participate in the original design, so I found myself unable to understand the new system.
...
- 153
1
vote
1
answer
133
views
Is there a mathematics core assessment rubric?
Many universities in USA ask their faculty to perform a "core assessment" where they evaluate (typically) freshman students, near the end of semester, on their understanding of the courses ...
- 1,410
11
votes
7
answers
4k
views
Is it a good idea to give partial points in grading
When grading problems on quizzes and exams, I often break them down into sub-problems, each worth a portion of the total points. I use rubrics to award partial credit for each sub-problem. However, ...
user19945
2
votes
0
answers
106
views
Is there national grade distribution data for introductory service courses?
I am looking for US average national or state grade distribution data for courses that are typically considered as math service courses: precalculus, calculus 1,2,3, linear algebra, differential ...
- 1,410
1
vote
0
answers
140
views
1st time math teacher 1st test feedback appreciated
I'm not a math teacher but I've stepped into the role to assist a small private school who lost their math teacher during the holidays (I'm a mechanical engineer by trade). The course is Algebra 1 (...
- 19
1
vote
1
answer
122
views
Summer or Semester Programs which bridge to Graduate Mathematics
A few years back I had a student attend the MASS semester at Penn State. It was a fantastic experience for my student and it certainly helped him find a place in graduate school and I would wager it ...
- 11k
1
vote
3
answers
524
views
Basic skill requirement suspension
Oregon appears to have suspended the "basic skills" requirement for graduation; see this. What will be the effect of this on the mathematical proficiency of the graduating class?
Follow-up ...
- 2,248
1
vote
1
answer
505
views
Is there any university or college in any country where failure and dropout rates in Calculus are not so high?
Calculus is a foundational mathematics course that is often seen as a bottleneck for STEM majors. However, it is also a course that is notorious for its high dropout rates. In the United States, for ...
- 2,384
6
votes
1
answer
156
views
Remote Teaching by Video Conferencing
I am in my early 70's and licensed to teach 8-12 math in Texas. I have an advanced degree in the same area. I used to teach in high school decades ago but have since quit because the student's ...
- 239
1
vote
0
answers
88
views
If a student earns a non-ABET accredited engineering degree, when can they take the FE or PE exam?
I just recently had a student (U.S. university) ask "How long would I have to wait until I could be eligible to take the FE or PE exam if I earned a non-ABET accredited engineering degree?" ...
- 71
2
votes
1
answer
386
views
Sources on inequity in precalculus sequence
I'm trying to put together some thoughts on the importance of a strong college precalculus sequence (mainly I'm thinking College Algebra, where much of my experience is) for addressing socioeconomic ...
- 4,815
4
votes
2
answers
898
views
What is Algebra 1 and 2 as it is in US highschool education?
I am a pre-university student who wants to help students with Algebra 1 and 2 in high school. I am curious to how the curriculum was built and what the goal of teaching both algebra 1 and 2 might be. ...
- 181
6
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Topics covered in Calculus I and II (university level) that aren't covered in the AP Curriculum
I teach AP Calculus BC at my high school and we have AP Calculus AB as a pre-req for taking BC. So most of my students are coming in with a strong calculus foundation, and I can spend less time on the ...
- 2,109
6
votes
0
answers
122
views
Is there ADA-compliance certification for mathematics text books?
What factors are there to consider when adopting a text as far as ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) is concerned? Is there a certification? What do you look for in the digital version of the text? ...
- 1,410
2
votes
1
answer
516
views
Help needed to find 7th & 8th grade completed math samples
I am trying to find samples of completed homework, class work and tests for 7th and 8th grade math in the US. I can find a million blank workbooks but not copies that students have completed with ...
- 29
6
votes
3
answers
1k
views
Geometry in the Community College Curriculum
As many Americans know, the “traditional” high school sequence is:
Algebra 1
Geometry
Algebra 2
PreCalculus
Calculus
For those who take developmental education at the community college level, it ...
- 369
2
votes
2
answers
340
views
What age student should be able to answer this question?
I was having a conversation about math education in the USA. Would an excellent middle school student, high school student, or college freshman be able to answer this simple question:
Exercise 0 If $...
- 121
-2
votes
1
answer
350
views
math syllabus US education system 1-12th Grade
Please share links to websites / pdf files containing syllabus in subject mathematics in US education system Grades 1-12.
Thank you.
- 7
6
votes
3
answers
1k
views
How can I improve my Retake Policy?
I teach Pre-Calculus at a public high school in the United States. This school year, I allowed my students to retake any assessment regardless of how they performed on their first attempt. However, ...
- 1,289
10
votes
5
answers
4k
views
Should an undergraduate math program contain a course on Lebesgue integration?
Is it standard for a math undergraduate program to have a course on Lebesgue integration?
Does Riemann integral suffice for undergraduates?
The reason of my question is I read a paper by Bartle titled ...
- 203
4
votes
1
answer
604
views
AP Calculus BC Guidance
Hello wonderful educators. I am hoping to get some help on a tough situation I am in. So first, a little bit of background facts:
This is my first time teaching an AP class. I've adjuncted for Calc I ...
- 2,109
6
votes
2
answers
493
views
Is Trigonometry done differently in the US?
I'm Italian and I've watched some videos from Americans and noticed a weird thing. Let's talk about a linear trigonometric equation like this:
$$\sin x+\cos x+\sqrt3=0.$$
I've seen Americans solving ...
- 61
6
votes
2
answers
3k
views
Should proofs include a third “context” column?
Proofs, or any mathematical derivation, appearing in any real setting, such as a book or textbook or talk, or even when we're teaching it in class, includes a great deal of surrounding explanation. ...
- 494
1
vote
0
answers
421
views
Is it more efficacious, productive to jump to perusing full solutions — before and without attempting to solve problems?
Too many students lack the luxuries of time and effort to mull exercises and problems. They must juggle MULTIPLE jobs to pay exorbitant tuition fees. Single parents or adult learners must prioritize ...
user155
2
votes
2
answers
767
views
Preparing elementary teachers for the praxis exam
I'm teaching a class called "Math for Elementary Teachers." The main goal of the course is to prepare the prospective teachers for an exam that I believe is called "Praxis" (some ...
- 383
1
vote
1
answer
335
views
Resources to qualify for AIME
I am trying to qualify for AIME this year and get a score of at least $5$ or $6$. (If anyone doesn't know, AIME is the American Invitational Mathematics Examination. You need to get a decent score on ...
- 113
-2
votes
1
answer
472
views
Why are math test scores dropping in America? Lack of student responsibility movement [closed]
Someone asked me this question today. Why do you honestly believe that high school math test scores in America (particularly the United States) are low compared to other countries? I thought about ...
- 635
9
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Is there a study that compares 8-week vs 16-week math classes?
I see a push toward having undergraduate curriculums built around 8-week classes. This is mostly in the online education in the USA. Recently I have seen a number of these in sophomore or junior-level ...
- 1,410
6
votes
2
answers
935
views
Calculus limits taught in the US vs Spain?
So, I realize this can be a broad question, so I'll narrow it down. I have lived in Spain and own several Math textbooks from that country (the equivalent of 8th grade and high school Math). Has ...
- 61
0
votes
1
answer
211
views
Matriculation exams like in Europe
I just looked at matriculation exams from Finland. They have both basic and advanced level exams. Most US high school seniors could not pass the basic exam. If each US state were to create its own ...
- 23
7
votes
1
answer
979
views
How to be a good math teacher at a liberal art college?
I am thinking of taking up a position at a liberal art college. I have taught mathematics at large public universities but I have no idea what is it like to work at a liberal art colleges. So what are ...
user11702
4
votes
1
answer
347
views
Successor to School Mathematics Study Group (SMSG)
From reviews on Amazon of the various high school math texts by Mary Dolciani et al of the SMSG, I assume that there might be a successor to the approach (referred to as “the new math”) taken by the ...
- 71
7
votes
2
answers
301
views
Is $\overline{AB} \cong \overline{BA}$ usually taught as an instance of the symmetric property of congruence?
I have been tutoring a wide range of math subjects for many years. Recently, I began tutoring a girl in high school geometry (in California, for context). This semester of the course is starting with ...
- 898
6
votes
2
answers
228
views
Typical structure for walk-in math tutoring in US high schools?
I'm now semi-retired after a career teaching physics (and occasionally math) at a community college, and am looking for opportunities to volunteer with disadvantaged youth. During my college career, I ...
user507
2
votes
1
answer
771
views
Is the AMC 10/12 Test the Difference Maker for Top Schools? What do Colleges Look for?
The AMC 10/12 test is a test used in a math competition for high school students.
I have a few students that know LaTeX who are very young and are extremely advanced for their age in high school. As a ...
- 635
2
votes
5
answers
892
views
When are students taught implicit and parametric representations of curves?
Do students learn implicit equations (such as $x^2+y^2-r^2 = 0$)
and parametric equations (e.g., $x=a t^2,\;y= 2 a t$)
in a first course in algebra,
which in the US would be early high school, maybe ...
- 30.1k
4
votes
4
answers
919
views
Teaching calculus in AP without the formal definition of the derivative
Years ago as a college freshman I was taking my first calculus course. Another freshman skipped it because he had calculus in Advanced Placement in high school. I mentioned we were learning the limit ...
- 229
9
votes
6
answers
4k
views
Math activities for fast-finishers
I am a math teacher for sixth graders and I am trying to think of some strategies to keep the students who finish their work quickly productively occupied. I would like to have a selection of ...
- 694
4
votes
0
answers
268
views
Is There Such Thing as Reaching Half a Standard?
I like the Common Core State Standards for Math as they focus on objectives that students need to reach. However, some standards have way too many parts for them.
For instance, the standard CCSS.MATH....
- 635
6
votes
4
answers
3k
views
What will my academic path look like after testing out of high school math classes?
I am currently a 15-year-old in the 9th grade, and I am studying to test out all of my high school math classes, which is something I didn't realize I could do in the 8th grade and would have if I had....
- 415
17
votes
5
answers
5k
views
(How) Do American undergraduate math programs teach complex numbers?
What kind of exposure to complex numbers can you expect in mathematics majors at American colleges?
I teach at a very large public university. It occurred to me that it is possible to graduate in ...
- 443
6
votes
4
answers
2k
views
Courses equivalent to College Algebra in other countries?
In USA, there is a course called College Algebra and a course description may look like the following:
This course provides students an opportunity to gain algebraic knowledge needed in ...
- 4,285
5
votes
2
answers
490
views
Mathematics minor requirements
My institution (in USA) is planning to introduce a minor in mathematics and here are the proposed course requirements:
Calculus I
Calculus II
Calculus III or Differential Equations
Any two of the ...
- 4,285
3
votes
2
answers
693
views
How actually are prime numbers taught in elementary school in United States and how easily do students learn what they're being taught about them?
I read the question https://math.stackexchange.com/questions/1593091/how-to-explain-why-study-prime-numbers-to-5th-graders and according to the body of the question, some students sigh. Also according ...
- 473
5
votes
4
answers
1k
views
What math courses should I take in order to become a secondary math educator?
Seeing as this is the math educator site, perhaps someone can help me out:
I am looking to become a math teacher, but I am having a hard time figuring out which math courses I need to be taking. ...
- 694
-2
votes
1
answer
124
views
Where can I find the partial order relation of prerequisites of undergraduate courses in the United States?
Let $A$ be the set of all undergraduate mathematical courses in the US and define a binary relation $\leq$ on $A$ such that for elements $a,b\in A$ (that is, $a$, $b$ are undergraduate mathematical ...
- 4,285
0
votes
4
answers
545
views
Is "Volume of Solids of Revolution" a part of Cal I or Cac II
I took Calc I in preparation for the CLEP. I did not learn about solids of revolution. Is this something that is normally part of Calc I and that most Calc II classes will expect that I can do already?...
- 694
9
votes
1
answer
1k
views
An alternative to "two column" geometry proofs
I'm a high school teacher in New York State (US), starting in on my first year of teaching Geometry. One of the things that really intrigues me is that the Regents exam (the state-mandated final exam)...
- 5,637