Doing the Math - JHU Mathematics - Johns Hopkins University

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$The State of State Math Standards 2005 - JHU Mathematics$

subtraction, multiplication, and/or division of algebraic expressions to mathematical and real-world problems. As discussed, the “Assessment Limits” for this indicator limit the polynomials to one-variable polynomials and also state: The polynomial is not simplified. This seems to imply that students are not expected to simplify and otherwise work with polynomial expressions to solve problems. There is an extensive list of topics under the “Additional Topics Would Include” section for this indicator. It is here that most of the relevant skills appear. At the lowest Accuplacer scoring level of 25, the student must be able to multiply a whole number by a binomial. At the second lowest scoring level of 57, the student must be able to both multiply binomials and combine like terms. These skills are inadequately covered in the VSC. Solving Equations, Inequalities, Word Problems The skills in this category are at least partially covered by the VSC. However, the limiting statements in the “Assessment Limits” and “Skill Statement,” as well as a student’s potential lack of additional skills, may mean that the problems in this area cannot be solved by students. 16 Doing the Math . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The VSC for Algebra II and the Accuplacer College Level Math Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The complete analysis is available in the appendix. In this analysis, the main focus is to determine if a student can achieve a score of 45 or more. This is the minimal score to avoid mathematics remediation at many Maryland colleges. Conclusion The VSC for Algebra II and the Accuplacer College Level Math Test are reasonably well aligned. The Accuplacer includes one topic, trigonometry, which is not covered at all in the VSC for Algebra II. However, this should not preclude a student from obtaining a score of 45 points or more. The Accuplacer Skills for College Level Math The Accuplacer skills are straightforward, and are generally the skills expected to be contained in traditional high school mathematics courses. The following description is derived from the description given in the Accuplacer Sample Questions for Students Guide: 18 There are 20 problems on this test. They are divided into problems of the following types. Algebraic Operations: The Algebraic Operations content area includes the simplification of rational algebraic expressions, factoring and expanding polynomials, and manipulating roots and exponents. Solutions of Equations and Inequalities: The Solutions of Equations and Inequalities content area includes the solution of linear and quadratic equations and inequalities, systems of equations, and other algebraic equations. Coordinate Geometry: The Coordinate Geometry content area presents questions involving plane geometry, the coordinate plane, straight lines, conics, sets of points in the plane, and graphs of algebraic functions. Applications and Other Algebra Topics: The Applications and Other Algebra Topics content area contains complex numbers, series and sequences, determinants, permutations and combinations, factorials, and word problems. Functions: The Functions content area includes questions involving polynomial, algebraic, exponential, and logarithmic functions. Trigonometry: The Trigonometry content area includes trigonometric functions. The VSC for Algebra II The organization of Maryland’s VSC for Algebra II is similar to the organization for Algebra I/Data Analysis. However, some of the expectations have no indicators. The following list sums up the VSC for Algebra II. Doing the Math 17
Page 1: Doing the Math: Are Maryland’s Hi
Page 5 and 6: Executive Summary . . . . . . . . .
Page 7 and 8: Introduction . . . . . . . . . . .
Page 9 and 10: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Page 11 and 12: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Page 13 and 14: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Page 15 and 16: The VSC for Algebra I/Data Analysis
Page 17 and 18: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Page 19: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Page 23: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Page 26 and 27: students take the test without prep
Page 28 and 29: absolute value; evaluations; groupi
Page 31 and 32: Recommendations . . . . . . . . . .
Page 33 and 34: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Page 35: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Page 39 and 40: Endnotes . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Page 41 and 42: Appendices I. ACCUPLACER ELEMENTARY
Page 43 and 44: Accuplacer Sample VSC Algebra I/ HS
Page 45 and 46: Accuplacer Sample VSC Algebra I/ HS
Page 47 and 48: APPENDICES Statement” that accomp
Page 49 and 50: APPENDICES 1.1.3.5 Additional Topic
Page 51 and 52: Skill Statement Given one or more o
Page 53 and 54: Skill Statement Using given data, t
Page 55 and 56: Indicator Problem Problem Descripti
Page 61 and 62: APPENDICES Analysis In general, the
Page 63 and 64: F. Achieve Analysis of Elementary A
Page 65 and 66: Accuplacer Sample VSC Algebra II Ad
Page 67 and 68: Accuplacer Sample VSC Algebra II Ad
Page 69 and 70: APPENDICES Applications and Other A
Page 71 and 72:
a function in equation form, the st
Page 73 and 74:
APPENDICES Skill Statement Given on
Page 75 and 76:
APPENDICES Rational equations will
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Doing the Math - JHU Mathematics - Johns Hopkins University

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