Determining the Alignment of Math 105 - Intermediate Algebra at the University of Wisconsin--Milwaukee to the Goals of the Common Core State Standards

Abstract

In this analysis we examine the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics and compare them to content presented in Math 105 - Intermediate Algebra at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, in order to determine how well the UW-Milwaukee course develops the skills described in the standards. This is done by examining the structure, textbook content, and assessments of the course. Examining relevant high school standards, we determine that many of the procedural elements of these standards are present in the course while many of the conceptual elements are absent or poorly developed. After, we discuss content that is present in the course but not detailed in the standards. We then determine the overlap of content from Math 105 with the content from Math 095. We finish by considering ways to better align Math 105 with the goals of the Common Core State Standards.