TESC does not accept ALEKS Beginning Algebra.

[CollegeStudent7]

We all have set backs. Now get back to work Collegestudent7 and do not let this derail your plans.

Already doing that. Only posted this to warn others as I know it may have been said elsewhere, but this thread will make it nice and clear. I'm studying right now. Also updated my Excel spreadsheet...ttyl

[BrandeX]

To be honest, this policy is most certainly acceptable for a university. "Beginning Algebra" is typically a middle school course.
what grade is beginning algebra taught? - Google Search

[Lindagerr]

The Algebra taught in Middle school and Freshman year of High School is a different Level of Algebra then what is taught in Aleks Beginning Algebra. Also not everyone had Algebra in High School. If ACE gives it college credit I don't see why TESC won't take it as general Math 102. Sometimes we forget that not all states in the USA have the same standards and not all schools within those states have the same standards.

The last thing is what about the kid who was bad in math in high school couldn't/wouldn't learn so they never gave him a chance at Algebra. In our Middle school only the highest 1/3 even get a chance at Algebra and it is broken up over 2 years 7th-8th grade. And still about half of these fail the placement test and have to take Algebra 1 Freshman year.

Yes Asian countries may push their kids faster to do more, but that's why they burn out or have heart attacks younger. What happens to the student in Asia who can't keep up? What if they have a learning disability are they just left behind and ostrasized until they drop out? I don't know all of these answers, but US teachers have a heavy load trying to serve every student from the gifted to the slow learner all in the same class usually in just ~45 min a day.

[BrandeX]

Ok, I didn't try the beginning level on ALEKS, just Pre-Calc (which is pretty hard too, as I am also seriously math deficient)

I assume the "Asian" comment is because I'm not currently sitting at home in the states writing this, as per my location listed under my id. What the Asians are doing is not directly relevant to the mathematics education issues in the states. The U.S is so far behind many other industrialized nations (and many non-industrialized nations now) that a lot of workers for technical jobs have to be recruited from abroad. I finally watched "Waiting for Superman" a couple of days ago, and there was some interesting commentary on this.

Some other related articles:
1987
U.S. PUPILS LAG IN MATH ABILITY, 3 STUDIES FIND - NYTimes.com
2003
http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0923110.html
2007
U.S. Teens Trail Peers Around World on Math-Science Test - washingtonpost.com


Anyway, getting a bit off topic here, it's not too relevant whether or not I personally agree with TESC and not ACE, as I'm not in the TESC administration

[burbuja0512]

Ok, I didn't try the beginning level on ALEKS, just Pre-Calc (which is pretty hard too, as I am also seriously math deficient)

I assume the "Asian" comment is because I'm not currently sitting at home in the states writing this, as per my location listed under my id. What the Asians are doing is not directly relevant to the mathematics education issues in the states. The U.S is so far behind many other industrialized nations (and many non-industrialized nations now) that a lot of workers for technical jobs have to be recruited from abroad. I finally watched "Waiting for Superman" a couple of days ago, and there was some interesting commentary on this.

Some other related articles:
1987
U.S. PUPILS LAG IN MATH ABILITY, 3 STUDIES FIND - NYTimes.com
2003
http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0923110.html
2007
U.S. Teens Trail Peers Around World on Math-Science Test - washingtonpost.com


Anyway, getting a bit off topic here, it's not too relevant whether or not I personally agree with TESC and not ACE, as I'm not in the TESC administration

...Staying off topic for one more minute, I would like to comment on our lagging math skills.

I totally agree that in K-12, kids should be taught as much math as possible and given the chance to succeed and have a solid mathematical base so that if they choose an undergraduate degree that requires this type knowledge, that they are fully able to perform.

However, even though I agree with TESC's decision to not accept beginning Algebra, I don't think that any more math is really needed, depending on the major. Seriously, who even uses algebra in life? I know that's not necessarily a valid argument, but I've lived 35 years with my basic math skills and never had a problem... in fact, I have a successful career. I felt like the Math CLEP was a good representation of the maximum amount of mathematics that I'll ever need. For someone who is majoring in any sort of liberal arts field, I'm not sure I totally understand needed to know more. I would rather spend my time doing something more interesting and fulfilling like learning another language or reading about different cultures around the world, or perhaps even art history.

[CollegeStudent7]

On a different note--I just passed the ALEKS Intermediate Algebra assessment with an 81%! Strange, because I assessed at 43% the 1st time for Beginning Algebra.

I just submitted this to ACE and it's pending approval. I did a search and read that one shouldn't start a new course through ALEKS until ACE approves their credit or everything is erased, so I guess I'm just hanging tight.
On to the next thing :-p

[CollegeStudent7]

...Staying off topic for one more minute, I would like to comment on our lagging math skills.

I totally agree that in K-12, kids should be taught as much math as possible and given the chance to succeed and have a solid mathematical base so that if they choose an undergraduate degree that requires this type knowledge, that they are fully able to perform.

However, even though I agree with TESC's decision to not accept beginning Algebra, I don't think that any more math is really needed, depending on the major. Seriously, who even uses algebra in life? I know that's not necessarily a valid argument, but I've lived 35 years with my basic math skills and never had a problem... in fact, I have a successful career. I felt like the Math CLEP was a good representation of the maximum amount of mathematics that I'll ever need. For someone who is majoring in any sort of liberal arts field, I'm not sure I totally understand needed to know more. I would rather spend my time doing something more interesting and fulfilling like learning another language or reading about different cultures around the world, or perhaps even art history.

I totally agree! I love Math, but I just need to earn the darn credit and get on with this degree lol. I'm not as great at it as I thought. I mean, I don't ever use it, so I guess that would explain why LOL.

The reason I went with ALEKS is because I thought it would be easier thank the College Math CLEP. Now I'm starting to wonder.

[alleycat]

Finally!!!!!! Congrats!

[cookderosa]

If ACE gives it college credit I don't see why TESC won't take it as general Math 102. .

It's college level remedial. Let's say you walked into your CC and took their ASSET or COMPASS placement exam. It said you were ready for ENG101 but did not score highly enough to take the minimum college level math class (MAT102 or similar). In that case, you would take ALEKS Beginning Algebra as COLLEGE LEVEL REMEDIAL for college credit. After successful completion, you could go ahead and show on your transcript that you have either a) tested in at a 100 level math or b) completed a college level remedial math therefor meeting the CC's prereqs for 100 level math. *most colleges absolutely DO have prereqs for 100 level courses in math/English/science if you look.

Oh, and another good example is SL's ENG099 which would do the same thing for someone testing in under ENG101.


@Brandex, when a subject is first taught isn't a measure of where someone places when they start their college journey, and respectfully, to make someone feel stupid because it's hard for them isn't helpful.
We have 3 layers of remedial math that precede a 100 level gen ed math course. At my college, beginning algebra is the highest remedial math, many people (including a good percentage of my Culinary Math students) test in 2 levels below 100 levels. This is a REAL brick wall for many people.

I do believe one contributing factor to poor math skills is the under-teaching of arithmetic. In my homeschool I teach only arithmetic (add, subtract, multiply, divide, fraction/decimal/percentage, measure, time and money) until no less than age 12. By then, my children are so absolutely solid that they have the brain space to learn something new. How many adults still count 7*8 on their fingers? (guilty!!) How many adults who are not in school can rattle off 6/20 * 2/5? My 10 year old can. I walked away from the standard text books when I noticed a wide/shallow approach. I'm a 100% competency kind of teacher, so we go deep/narrow.

[CollegeStudent7]

Finally!!!!!! Congrats!

Thanks. I'm hoping to use 2 more ALEKS courses strictly due to the affordability of it.

I'm just covering my absolute basics right now and moving on to the UL, etc. later. Thinking about all the ULs I need is sort of depressing. Feels like it will take forever and cost a lot...but all I can do is keep plugging along.