The purpose of this study is to gain insight on how students’ math preparation correlates to student achievement in general chemistry courses (Chemistry 212/213) at Winona State University. A secondary goal is to develop a profile which would provide students resources for success in general chemistry and further coursework. To accomplish these goals, previous students’ ACT: Math scores, high school grade point averages, and relevant course grades were obtained. A positive correlation exists between ACT: MATH scores and grades in general chemistry. The correlation values for chemistry 212 and 213 are 0.35 and 0.29, respectively. Similarly, there was a positive correlation found between high school GPA and grades in general chemistry. The correlation values for chemistry 212 and 213 are 0.44 and 0.35, respectively. Overall, there was a stronger correlation between math preparedness and course grade in chemistry 212 rather 213. In addition to all of the institutional data obtained, a math assessment was given at the beginning of the 213 course starting in spring 2015. A similar positive correlation was found between the total assessment score and first examination grade. Additional analysis of the 2015-2016 school year at Winona State University will accompany this research.

Investigation of math preparedness for student success in general chemistry

251st National Meeting (2016)

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