Harvard Instituting Remedial Math Class

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know plenty of MIT grads who are not writers. I'm not shocked that there are Harvard kids who are top 1% in something who are not great at calc. Not everyone can be everything.

pre-calc is not top 1% for a college student and certainly not for a student at Harvard

Says who? This is who Harvard wants. What you want for Harvard is something else. It is your expectations that need adjustment.

I agree. This point seems lost based on many comments. What a person thinks or feels a college/university should value or prioritize does not always align to the school's values and mission. Harvard puts in place a program to educate students and people are mad it's not the right students.

It is interesting that with almost 3,000 4-year colleges, folks get worked up over this one. I mean, how many students out of their undergraduate enrollment are even taking this class? Not sure why folks care so much. Alum maybe?

[Anonymous]

So, this new class is the same as the old class except that it's five days a week instead of three days, the old class will continue to be taught in its present form and schedule, and the old class is identical to the ancient class from thirty years ago? Do I have that right? I think so, but let's check the Harvard Course Catalog to be sure:

MATH MA (LEC)
Introduction to Functions and Calculus I
Course ID: 111161
2024 Fall (4 Credits)
No meeting time listed
Kate Penner
The study of functions and their rates of change. Fundamental ideas of calculus are introduced early and used to provide a framework for the study of mathematical modeling involving algebraic, exponential, and logarithmic functions. Thorough understanding of differential calculus promoted by year long reinforcement. There will be required workshops Tuesdays.

MATH MA5 (010)
An In-depth Introduction to Functions and Calculus I
Course ID: 224755
2024 Fall (4 Credits)
MTWRF 1030 AM - 1145 AM
Kate Penner, Justin Hancock
The study of functions and their rates of change. Fundamental ideas of calculus are introduced early and used to provide a framework for the study of mathematical modeling involving algebraic, exponential, and logarithmic functions. A thorough understanding of differential calculus is promoted by year-long reinforcement.
Course Note: This is a version of Math MA that meets 5 days a week. The extra support will target foundational skills in algebra, geometry, and quantitative reasoning that will help you unlock success in Math MA. Students will be identified for enrollment in Math MA5 via a skill check before the start of the term.

Wait, what was in the course catalog thirty years ago? Lucky, I have one on hand:

Harvard University
Faculty of Arts and Sciences
Courses of Instruction 1991-92
Mathematics Ar. Precalculus Mathematics (2050)
Deborah Hughes Hallett and members of the Department
Review of functions, graphing, logarithms, and trigonometry. Emphasizes problem solving and provides a preparation for Mathematics 1, economics, and basic science courses. Taught in small sections which begin at a point appropriate to the students in the Section.
Half course (full term, repeated spring term). Fall: Section 1, M., W., F., at 10; Section II, M., W., F., at 12; Section III, Tu., Th., 10-11:30. Spring: Section I, M., W., F., at 10. (XI)

Yeppers, that all checks! So, what's this thread about again? Wait, I know! It's nothing more than an opportunity for DCUM to, in no particular order, (i) denigrate Harvard as overrated, "too woke" (whatever that means), and anti-Semitic (not yet mentioned, but it's coming); (ii) celebrate the inherent superiority of Asian students, every single one of whom, if DCUM is to be believed, arrived in the United States four months ago, penniless, not knowing a word of English, and still managed to achieve higher SAT scores than all of their black classmates; and (iii) complain about those black classmates through coded language about "equity," "diversity," and "quotas" and whining about "TO" (which apparently means "test optional" and not NFL great Terrell Owens). Carry on, DCUM!

[Anonymous]

^ they had to make it 5 days per week rather than 3 days because they had to slow it down, ie dumb down a remedial class.

[Anonymous]

Harvard has many levels of math for freshman. I wonder how many are in Math MA5. 5 days a week, how many hours? TO for so many years was an awful decision.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Harvard has many levels of math for freshman. I wonder how many are in Math MA5. 5 days a week, how many hours? TO for so many years was an awful decision.

you have to wonder how many of the students in those classes were TO.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Either Covid learning loss was worse than we thought (and we know it was really bad) or test optional is a complete failure.

Harvard students don’t know algebra?

https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2024/9/3/new-math-intro-course/

The Harvard Math Department will pilot a new introductory course aimed at rectifying a lack of foundational algebra skills among students, according to Harvard’s Director of Introductory Math Brendan A. Kelly.

It's a function of grade inflation period. Someone posted an article from Bethesda magazine earlier that said MCPS had rampant grade inflation and kids had overweighted GPAs of 4.8 and 4.7 but their teachers/tutors said they could not do algebra 1 and lacked foundational algebra skills.

Weighted GPAs are out of control, and they are not college ready as a result. Harvard and others are seeing an over-inflated resume and admitting them based on misleading stats.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Either Covid learning loss was worse than we thought (and we know it was really bad) or test optional is a complete failure.

Harvard students don’t know algebra?

https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2024/9/3/new-math-intro-course/

The Harvard Math Department will pilot a new introductory course aimed at rectifying a lack of foundational algebra skills among students, according to Harvard’s Director of Introductory Math Brendan A. Kelly.

It's a function of grade inflation period. Someone posted an article from Bethesda magazine earlier that said MCPS had rampant grade inflation and kids had overweighted GPAs of 4.8 and 4.7 but their teachers/tutors said they could not do algebra 1 and lacked foundational algebra skills.

Weighted GPAs are out of control, and they are not college ready as a result. Harvard and others are seeing an over-inflated resume and admitting them based on misleading stats.

agree. everyone is rushing to blame TO policies but I agree it's happening because of inflated GPAs. everyone is getting "bonus" points for stacking up honors and AP classes and teachers are giving As where they should be giving Bs (at best).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Harvard has many levels of math for freshman. I wonder how many are in Math MA5. 5 days a week, how many hours? TO for so many years was an awful decision.

you have to wonder how many of the students in those classes were TO.

I’m wondering.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Harvard has many levels of math for freshman. I wonder how many are in Math MA5. 5 days a week, how many hours? TO for so many years was an awful decision.

you have to wonder how many of the students in those classes were TO.

or how many were recruited athletes or legacies.

[Anonymous]

Harvard likes pointy kids, so there are some who aren't as strong in math but are spectacular at other things. Not a surprise.

My sister has a degree from Yale, but she would struggle to pass even a basic algebra class. She has significant learning disabilities in math. But that doesn't mean she isn't brilliant. She is killing her career and may very well win a Tony someday.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Either Covid learning loss was worse than we thought (and we know it was really bad) or test optional is a complete failure.

Harvard students don’t know algebra?

https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2024/9/3/new-math-intro-course/

The Harvard Math Department will pilot a new introductory course aimed at rectifying a lack of foundational algebra skills among students, according to Harvard’s Director of Introductory Math Brendan A. Kelly.

It's a function of grade inflation period. Someone posted an article from Bethesda magazine earlier that said MCPS had rampant grade inflation and kids had overweighted GPAs of 4.8 and 4.7 but their teachers/tutors said they could not do algebra 1 and lacked foundational algebra skills.

Weighted GPAs are out of control, and they are not college ready as a result. Harvard and others are seeing an over-inflated resume and admitting them based on misleading stats.

AOs do not care at all about how your high school weights GPAs. They don't think MCPS kids are smarter than VA kids because MCPS gives 1.0 vs 0.5 quality point.

All their academic assessments are relative to hyperlocal norms and in context of broader diversity goals around majors, sports, ECs, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Harvard likes pointy kids, so there are some who aren't as strong in math but are spectacular at other things. Not a surprise.

My sister has a degree from Yale, but she would struggle to pass even a basic algebra class. She has significant learning disabilities in math. But that doesn't mean she isn't brilliant. She is killing her career and may very well win a Tony someday.

She probably didn't take a major with a required calculus class, though.

[Anonymous]

I think there are a lot of kids who actually struggle with algebra but are talking higher level classes in high school (E.g., calculus). Then they get to college and struggle. Unfortunately, I think there is a lot of acceleration of math but not in depth knowledge and skills. My kids have been in advanced math at FCPS but it still paled to what they are/were learning at RSM and AoPS. I put them in math classes not to accelerate them or because they are gifted in math. I just want them to have a good foundation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:TO idiots. That's what you get.

Yep. How ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:TO idiots. That's what you get.

Or maybe you are all kidding yourselves that Ivy kids are some rarified, superior species …🤔

But that would go against everything some people on DCUM hold dear and spend their kids’ lives working toward…