The department of mathematics at Colorado State University will administer and analyze a test this year to determine the mathematics proficiency of the state’s high-school juniors.
The voluntary testing program is sponsored by the state department of education and is designed to serve as a “diagnostic tool” for students, counselors, and curriculum planners, according to Duane Clow, professor of mathematics at the university and the director of the testing program.
“The test will let Colorado students pinpoint areas of proficiency in mathematics and also show the individual student specific areas where he or she might lack certain necessary skills. The student then can take the needed classes to gain the proficiencies in the senior year,’' said Robert Gains, head of the university’s mathematics department.
Each student will receive a report indicating whether his or her math proficiency level matches career plans. College-bound students will receive a detailed list of courses they should take for a given major.
Mr. Gains said that the program will be “particularly attractive” to the university, which has to provide remedial education in mathematics to a large number of students.
The test measures skills students need to succeed in college and to function in a technological society.
