The University of Texas – Pan American
Mathematics Assessment Report
October 21, 2003
Introduction
The purpose of this document is to report on the results of an assessment that was
conducted during the spring of 2003 to determine the degree to which students achieve
desired learning outcomes in mathematics as a result of their completing the University's
core curriculum. In May 2003, an assessment test was designed with questions aligned
with predetermined objectives and administered to students in 18 sections of Math 1340 –
College Algebra. Math 1340 is the predominant course used by students at UTPA to
satisfy the mathematics requirement of the core curriculum: approximately 68% of all
students take Math 1340 as their core class.
Described in this report is a brief overview of the objectives for mathematics in the
core curriculum, the method in which these objectives were assessed in the spring 2003
semester, a summary of the assessment results, and conclusions and recommendations
based on these results. Results of the assessment will be used to improve student learning
by providing feedback to departments and programs on campus to enable them to identify
ways in which they may improve pedagogical practices and curriculum.
Exemplary Objectives
According to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, the purpose of the
mathematics component of the core curriculum is to develop a quantitatively literate
college graduate (THECB Core Curriculum: Assumptions and Defining Characteristics,
April 1998.) Every graduate from UTPA should be able to apply basic mathematical
tools to solve real-world problems and make well-informed decisions aided by
mathematical analysis. The THECB goes on to list the following seven Exemplary
Objectives in support of this goal:
1. To apply arithmetic, algebraic, geometric, higher-order thinking, and statistical
methods to modeling and solving real-world situations.
2. To represent and evaluate basic mathematical information verbally,
numerically, graphically, and symbolically.
3. To expand mathematical reasoning skills and formal logic to develop
convincing mathematical arguments.
4. To use appropriate technology to enhance mathematical thinking and
understanding and to solve mathematical problems and judge the
reasonableness of the results.
5. To interpret mathematical models such as formulas, graphs, tables, and
schematics, and draw inferences from them.
6. To recognize the limitations of mathematical and statistical models.
7. To develop the view that mathematics is an evolving discipline, interrelated
with human culture, and understand its connections to other disciplines.
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