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Posted by Barbara Pytel Aug 31, 2007 |
Study
Randolph E. Schmid, writer for the AP Science Writer, reports on July 26, 2007 on the statistics of the study.
- Philip M. Sadler, Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics
- Robert H. Tai, University of Virginia
- 8,474 U.S. students
- 63 U.S. colleges
Results
Sadler and Tai found that each year of high school math added 1.86 points to the grade in college chemistry. However, science classes taken in high school did not transfer to raise grades in other science classes. A student taking chemistry in high school did not see this helping him or her in physics or biology in college.
A student taking college biology increased the grade by 1.84 points for each year of high school math. Taking high school biology increased the grade by 1.35 points but taking high school physics and chemistry did not seem to raise the college grade in college biology.
Students taking college physics can add 1.28 points to their grade for each year of high school math. High School physics boosts grades 1.32. However, high school biology and chemistry had no influence on grades in college physics.
Other Variables
The study did not analyze other data pertaining to
- student interest in a subject
- occupations of the parents
Sadler, an author of the study, said, "I was surprised. I had a very open mind about whether this kind of early preparation would pay off. The most important thing for high school science teachers is to make sure there is lots of math in whatever science course they teach. Math is so important in college science." [Randolph E. Schmid, AP Science Writer, sfgate.com, July 26, 2007]
Related articles: College Remedial Math Increasing, College Preparation--Good of Poor?
Read previous articles on Educational Issues.
Copyright article 2007 Barbara Pytel. All Rights Reserved.