Cover -- Copyright page -- Title page -- Preface -- Contents -- Introduction -- 1 The Conference: Rethinking the Preparation for Calculus by Jack Narayan and Darren Narayan -- Rationale for the conference -- Overview of the conference -- Some conclusions -- References -- 2 Twenty Questions about Precalculus by Lynn Arthur Steen -- Introduction -- What? -- Who? -- Why? -- When? -- Where? -- How? -- Conclusion -- References -- Appendix A -- Background -- 3 Who are the Students Who Take Precalculus? by Mercedes A. McGowen -- Introduction -- What is ``precalculus"? -- What mathematics courses do undergraduate students enroll in? -- Mathematics course enrollment: 1980 {2000 -- Precalculus enrollment: 1980 {2000 -- Meeting the needs of our students: A two-year college profile -- Conclusions -- References -- 4 Enrollment Flow to and from Courses Below Calculus by Stephen R. Dunbar -- The intent of the analysis -- The data source -- Description of the courses -- The data analysis -- Conclusions -- Appendix A Description of the courses -- Appendix B Diagram of course dependencies -- Appendix C Tables -- 5 What Have We Learned from Calculus Reform? The Road to Conceptual Understanding by Deborah Hughes Hallett -- Goals -- Background to calculus reform: Rationale for change -- Changes in the teaching of calculus -- Cooperation with client disciplines -- Impact of calculus reform -- Summary -- 6 Calculus and Introductory College Mathematics: Current Trends and Future Directions by Susan L. Ganter -- Introduction -- What have we learned about the teaching and learning of introductory college mathematics? -- What questions still remain? -- What do we know about the interaction of introductory college mathematics with partner disciplines? -- How can current knowledge be used to improve introductory collegiate mathematics courses?.

Implications of the proposed changes -- Supporting QL in introductory college mathematics courses through networking -- Conclusions -- References -- Theme 1. New Visions for Introductory Collegiate Mathematics -- 7 Refocusing Precalculus: Challenges and Questions by Nancy Baxter Hastings -- Introduction -- What is the problem? -- What is being done? -- Characteristics of alternative instructional materials -- Changes in pedagogy -- A dozen challenges, plus one, confronting refocusing precalculus -- References -- 8 Preparing Students for Calculus in the Twenty-First Century by Sheldon P. Gordon -- The student population -- Technology and its implications for mathematics education -- Changes in the mathematical needs of students -- The need for conceptual understanding -- The need for realistic problems -- Other topics that should be emphasized -- What can be removed -- Changes in pedagogy -- References -- 9 Preparing for Calculus and Preparing for Life by Bernard L. Madison -- Introduction -- Calculus: An important role -- Quantitative literacy: Need and responsibility -- Calculus: Domination and disappointment -- Calculus in high school -- References -- 10 College Algebra: A Course in Crisis by Don Small -- Introduction -- Traditional college algebra -- Vision for improved college algebra programs -- Improved college algebra: A base for quantitative literacy programs -- Summary -- References -- 11 Changes in College Algebra by Scott R. Herriott -- Introduction -- The DWF problem -- Who takes college algebra? -- Curricular models for college algebra -- elementary probability and statistics, and consumer mathematics.Local and national policy issues -- Conclusions -- References -- 12 One Approach to Quantitative Literacy: Understanding our Quantitative World by Janet Andersen -- Overview and philosophy of the course.

Sample section: Periodic functions -- Evaluation -- References -- Theme 2. The Transition from High School to College -- 13 High School Overview and the Transition to College by Zalman Usiskin -- Introduction -- Trend data on student performance -- Variability within the United States -- Curriculum -- Advanced placement calculus -- Calculus in high school?

Modeling and Applications -- Communication -- Technology -- Instructional techniques -- Student assessment -- Whither college algebra? -- Conclusion -- References -- 17 Skills versus Concepts at West Point by Rich West -- Introduction -- Perspective -- Need -- Solution -- The gateway exam -- The standards -- Lessons learned -- Implications -- Conclusions -- References -- Appendix: Required mathematical skills for entering cadets -- 18 Integrating Data Analysis into Precalculus Courses by Allan J. Rossman -- Introduction -- Using data to study functions -- Example 1: Scrabble Names -- Example 2: AIDS Epidemic -- Example 3: Margin-of-Error -- Example 4: Benford's Model for Leading Digits -- Data analysis principles for precalculus -- Example 5: Airfares -- Example 6: Televisions and Life Expectancy -- Data analysis in precalculus for general education -- Conclusion -- References -- Theme 4. Student Learning and Research -- 19 Assessing What Students Learn: Reform versus Traditional Precalculus and Follow-up Calculus by Florence S. Gordon -- Introduction -- Background -- Student backgrounds prior to precalculus -- Assessing student performance in precalculus -- Assessing student attitudes in precalculus -- The follow-up study in calculus -- Assessing student performance and persistence on quizzes in calculus -- Assessing student performance on class tests in calculus -- Assessing student performance on the final exam in calculus -- Discussion of results -- References -- 20 Student Voices and the Transition from Reform High School Mathematics to College Mathematics by Rebecca Walker -- Introduction -- Design of the study -- Analysis of student beliefs and conceptions of mathematics -- Transition to college mathematics -- College mathematics placement -- Experiences in the classroom -- Experiences outside of the classroom.

College mathematics performance -- Students' final reflections on their preparation -- Summary -- Limitations of the study and possibilities for further research -- References -- Theme 5. Implementation -- 21 Some Political and Practical Issues in Implementing Reform by Robert E. Megginson -- Introduction -- Show respect for your colleagues' teaching styles -- Keep your colleagues in the loop -- Get the backing of senior faculty -- Get the backing of client departments -- Get the backing of academic counselors -- Make sure skills are learned -- Know who takes the courses -- Prepare instructors for a changed classroom -- Finally, and perhaps most important . . . -- References -- 22 Implementing Curricular Change in Precalculus: A Dean's Perspective by Judy E. Ackerman -- Introduction -- Initiating curricular change -- Implementing curricular change -- Making a case to the dean -- Pilot first -- Support for faculty implementing change -- Summary -- References -- 23 The Need to Rethink Placement in Mathematics by Sheldon P. Gordon -- 24 Changing Technology Implies Changing Pedagogy by Lawrence C. Moore and David A. Smith -- Introduction -- Learning and working in an increasingly rich technological environment -- Making sense of mathematical information-using technology to check -- Student-to-student interactions -- Creation of interactive learning materials -- Intellectual demands of these new forms of learning -- References -- 25 Preparing for Calculus and Beyond: Some Curriculum Design Issues by Al Cuoco -- Introduction -- Goals for the program -- What habits? What topics? What students? -- The Evolution -- An example -- Lessons learned -- References -- 26 Alternatives to the One-Size-Fits-All Precalculus/College Algebra Course by Bonnie Gold -- Introduction -- Can one size fit all? -- An alternative: Splitting the course.

Advising issues.