Mathematics in Today's Community College / Arthur M. Cohen.

Drawing from literature on research, innovative programs, and association positions, this paper provides an overview of two-year college mathematics curricula, instruction, and faculty. Introductory material places the discussion in the context of changes that have taken place in the community college over the past 20 years, highlighting increases in part-time attendance, the enrollment of lower ability students, and the influx of minority and low-income students. The effects of these changes on the community college curriculum are analyzed with respect to the prevalence of remedial and introductory courses and the paucity of advanced courses; curriculum deficiencies; and testing and placement programs. Reports from individual colleges are reviewed next, providing information on developmental teaching methods, attempts to combat high attrition rates, math anxiety programs, and the operation of labs and centers. Next, the paper addresses the math competencies expected of entering freshmen and ways of assessing them. Focus is placed on the research of the Center for the Study of Community Colleges on the general education knowledge of two-year college students. An overview of recent changes in the instructional design of two-year college math classes is followed by a review of the research on the professional characteristics of two-year college math instructors. Finally, the future of mathematics is discussed, and recommendations concerning the professionalization of the faculty, curriculum reform, and the promotion of student understanding of the importance of math skills are presented. (AYC)

Practitioners. ericd

Microfiche. [Washington D.C.]: ERIC Clearinghouse microfiches : positive.