Math 10: High School Algebra

Spring 2006

Last revised on January 11th, 2006

Introduction

Math 10 places students into one of two tracks, known as Track A and Track B. Each track will cover the appropriate prerequisite material needed for specific entry-level mathematics courses. Both levels are four hour non-credit courses with a grading system of satisfactory or fail.

All students enrolled in Math 10 are initially in the algebra course. In the first week of class, a placement/scanner test is given. (This is NOT the same as the Mathematics placement exam, which is taken during orientation.) Based on the results of this exam, students will be placed into the track appropriate to their ability, and for the math course they need to take in the future.

Track A is designed to

  • Teach the material covered in approximately the first year of high school algebra, needed by some students to meet ISU admission requirements;
  • Prepare students for Math 104, Math 105, Math 150, Math 195, and Stat 101;
  • Prepare students for Track B.

Track B is designed to

  • Teach the material covered in approximately the second year of high school algebra, needed by some students to meet ISU admission requirements;
  • Prepare students for Math 140 and Math 151.

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Placement

The placement/scanner exam is scheduled during regular class hours on Monday, January 9th, in the classrooms assigned by the university. Students will not be assigned to a Math 10 track until this exam is completed.

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Office and Help Sessions

The Math 10 office is located in room380 Carver. The office phone number is 294 - 4003. The email there is phall@iastate.edu. Office hours for Pauline Hall are as follows:

Pauline Hall's Office Hours will be in her office - 380 Carver

& Hours for Math 10 Help Room in 379 Carver

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, & Friday

10:10 - 10:50

Monday &Tuesday

  1:00 - 2:00

All administration decisions for Math 10 will be done in the Math 10 office, including late placement, late scanner testing, changes in enrollment, signing of add/drop slips, arrangements for retakes and make ups of exams, clarification of course content and course requirements.

A help room for Math 10 will also be available in Room 379 Carver.  The time this room will be open on now with the schedule above.  Pauline Hall will be present to answer homework questions, help with the ALEKS , and review for quizzes.

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Text

Both tracks will need the ALEKS User Guide.  A basic function calculator will be allowed for both the homework and quizzes.  No graphing calculators may be used.

Homework and Attendance

Doing the required homework and attending class regularly are important parts of Math 10.   The majority of the semester will be spent in the computer lab working on the ALEKS.  The homework during that time will be completing 2 hours on the ALEKS each class day.  The 50 minutes of class time are part of this and the remaining hour and 10 minutes will need to be done as homework each day.  Sometime after midterm, we will be spending from 2 – 3 weeks in the classroom and I will b teaching some topics that the ALEKS does not cover.  Homework and attendance will be worth 120 points or about 20% of your grade.  There will be 2 quizzes during the classroom time, each worth 40 points. NO LATE homework will be given any points..

ALEKS - REQUIREMENT

Each day, students will be required to spend 2 hours on the Web working on the ALEKS materials.   There will be not ALEKS required during the time we spend in the classroom instead of the lab.  Every 2 weeks an assessment on ALEKS will be required.  These required assessments will be done during the lab time in front of me.  The points will be earned for doing the work and doing it on a regular basis, increasing the percentage earned on the ALEKS assessments, and the number of topics that were successfully completed.  There will be 300 points possible for doing the ALEKS work.  This will be 50% of your grade.

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ALEKS FINAL

The ALEKS final assessment will be taken during Final Week at the time the University assigns to us.  This is the week of May 1st.  This assessment is worth 100 points.  Each student will receive the % score they earned on their final ALEKS assessment, taken during this time.  This is an exam must meet the following requirement:  72% is passing and the final exam score must be 50% or better.

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Grading and Testing

To earn a satisfactory grade in Math 10, and average of 72% or better must be attained on all the class work and home work, on the ALEKS, the two (2) quizzes and the final assessment.  In addition the final assessment must have a score of 50% or above.  NO LATE quizzes will be given.  If you are not in class for any of the requested assessments, you may take it when you return to class,  but you will not receive any points for working on the ALEKS or doing the time until you take the missed requested assessment.

Students in Track A will receive an S or F in Math 25. Students in Track B will receive an S or F in Math 30.

Any questions or conflicts that arise regarding the grading and testing policies must be addressed through the Math 10 office with Pauline Hall in 380 Carver.

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SPECIAL NEEDS

 

Please address any special needs or special accommodations with me this week or as soon as you become aware of the need.  Those seeking accommodations based on disabilities should obtain a Students Academic Accommodation Request (SAAR) form from the Disability Resources (DR) Office (515 – 294 – 6624).  DR is located on the main floor of the Student Services Building, Room 1076.

 

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Calendar

A syllabus that lists all assessment dates will be distributed in class.

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