P. Gavin LaRose, Mathematics | 2019-2020
The Department of Mathematics is in the first phase of a comprehensive project to improve the degree to which its Introductory Program courses (Math 105, Data Functions and Graphs; Math 115, Calculus I; and Math 116, Calculus II) are inclusive of students from populations that have traditionally been underrepresented in and excluded from STEM fields. This proposal seeks funding to extend our current work in Math 105 to Math 115. In Math 105 we have implemented a significant revision of the assessment in the course, in conjunction with improved support for instructors to make their classrooms more inclusive. The assessment in Math 115 and 116, and in Math 105 before this project, are and was dominated by three high-stakes, timed exams which constitute(d) 95% of students’ course averages. This model is known to be exclusive of students from groups underrepresented in STEM, and the current work in Math 105, supported by the Foundational Course Initiative (FCI) at CRLT, a 2019 NINI grant, and significant facilities work, has resulted in pilot-testing this winter of a new course structure in Math 105 in which the majority of students’ grades is determined by their work on repeatable mastery assessments. This change allows us to more accurately assess what students truly understand and gives students ownership of their path through the courses, and the pilot is on track to provide for the full implementation of a revised assessment structure in fall 2020 (even with the disruption caused by the pandemic). Starting this summer Math 115 will be entering FCI and we will be working with CRLT to re-imagine the assessment structure for that course and work out other changes needed to similarly increase how inclusive it is. While this work will benefit considerably from the work in Math 105, there are many aspects of Math 115 that will make the work there much more challenging, not least being the much larger scale of Math 115. With this proposal we will build on the work provided for by FCI to create the assessment and support structures needed to start initial pilot testing of materials in fall 2021 and to run a full pilot test in winter or fall 2022.