Colleges Redesign Calculus to Aid STEM Students

Twelve colleges have launched initiatives to redesign their introductory calculus courses, aiming to improve student persistence in STEM pathways. Calculus is frequently identified as a significant hurdle that causes students to abandon science, technology, engineering, and mathematics majors. The redesign efforts focus on making these foundational math courses more accessible and supportive for a broader range of students.

The participating institutions are exploring various pedagogical approaches and curriculum adjustments to better equip students with the necessary skills and confidence to succeed in calculus. This collaborative effort seeks to identify effective strategies that can be shared across higher education to tackle the "calculus bottleneck." The goal is to ensure that more students, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds, can successfully navigate this critical gateway course and continue their STEM education.

By overhauling the traditional calculus curriculum, these colleges hope to reduce attrition rates and increase the number of graduates in high-demand STEM fields. The project acknowledges that the current structure of calculus courses may not adequately serve all students, and the redesign aims to create a more inclusive and effective learning experience. The outcomes of these redesigns are expected to inform best practices for mathematics education at the college level nationwide.