Assessment on Previous Course Work in Calculus and Subsequent Achievement in Calculus at the Post-Secondary Level

摘要

There is limited research examining the effect of antecedent work in calculus and subsequent achievement in post-secondary calculus. This study examines the effects of prior coursework in calculus, often a locally developed secondary school calculus class, and ensuing achievement in a first-year university calculus class. Analysis of covariance confirms that students who had successfully completed antecedent course work in calculus are achieving higher final grades than their equally capable peers, even after gender differences and prior achievement are accounted for in the ANCOVA model. Sequential linear regression results substantiate the significance of antecedent coursework as a predictor of final grades.