What percentage of 4-year college freshmen are ready for calculus?

Parent Cafe
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<p>I completed my informal poll with my siblings and my own children. We all completed at least one year of calculus in high school and another one at college. Same can be said for statistics. Our undergrad majors are Asian studies, biochemistry, psychology, and three in business.</p>

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<p>In Ontario, gifted education is part of special education and special provisions are made for those declared gifted. I am told that these parents are the most demanding and political as well. The best students I have seen, however, are actually those who score slightly under 130 on the WISC. They seem to work the hardest.</p>

<p>I live in an area that has one of the highest average incomes in the province. The teachers are also among the highest paid. My children’s calculus teachers all have honours degree in mathematics, and are among the very best in the department qualification-wise. The schools all know how important this course is, so they are not taking any chance with the teachers, or they will hear from the parents very quickly.</p>

<p><a href=“He%20said%20many%20many%20kids–even%20some%20who%20had%20taken%20calculus%20in%20high%20school–flunked%20the%20class.”>quote</a> (Hmmmmm. . .)

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<p>I think this is where honestly in grading comes in. I am told that teachers often give students a bare passing grade (50%) to indicate to the student and the university that the student has no business taking calculus. My personal feeling is that any student with cognitive ability below the 70th %tile would not do well in the subject, and quality of teaching makes a difference at the periphery only.</p>

<p>BTW, we also only need 3 years of math for a high school diploma, otherwise the political fallout will be enormous.;)</p>