Placement of the first calculus course†

†This manuscript is adapted from a paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Washington, D.C., February 1978, and from a portion of the author's Ph.D. dissertation.

Abstract

Since the days of the colonial colleges, topics in the calculus have been primarily a part of the college and university curriculum in the United States. During the past two decades, however, the traditional first course in calculus has gained a considerable foothold in American secondary schools. This downward shift in the placement of the first calculus course has been accompanied by considerable controversy. The calculus issue is presented here in an historical context, and related empirical studies are reviewed.

†This manuscript is adapted from a paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Washington, D.C., February 1978, and from a portion of the author's Ph.D. dissertation.

Notes

†This manuscript is adapted from a paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Washington, D.C., February 1978, and from a portion of the author's Ph.D. dissertation.