The Impact of Calculus Reform on Long-term Student Performance

高考改革是过去十多年来的一项重大教育创新。许多学院和大学已经在他们的微积分课程中，至少部分地采用了某种形式的微积分改革。这项改革在数学界也引起了相当大的争议，在许多数学系都有支持者和反对者。然而，几乎没有经验证据支持这两种观点。作者之一甘特（Ganter）之前对微积分改革的文献进行了回顾，得出的结论是，在对学生成绩和态度的影响方面，研究结果好坏参半。本研究试图通过对“传统”或“改革”微积分课程的学生进行配对，以提供微积分改革的长期影响信息。这些学生来自7所院校的班级，他们的表现将在微积分之后的课程中进行检验。来自这些院校的更大样本的高年级学生也将接受微积分知识的测试。雇主对微积分改革背景的兴趣也将被探讨。研究将由主要研究人员进行，并由主要研究人员从参与研究的院校抽取7名评估“研究员”协助进行。这些“研究员”将成为数学界和科学界的持续资源。

ICalculus reform has been a major educational innovation extending over the past decade and more. Many colleges and universities have adopted, at least in part, some form of calculus reform in their calculus courses. The reform has also been the focus of considerable controversy in the mathematics community, with vocal defenders and opponents to be found within many mathematics departments. However, there has been little empirical evidence to support either position. A previous review of the literature on calculus reform by one of the authors (Ganter) concluded that findings were mixed regarding impacts on student achievement and attitudes. This study attempts to provide information on long-term effects of calculus reform by employing matching sets of students who were enrolled in either "traditional" or "reform" calculus classes. The performance of these students, drawn from classes in 7 institutions, will be examined in courses subsequent to calculus. A larger sample of seniors from these same institutions will also be tested on their knowledge of calculus.The interest of employers in calculus reform backgrounds will also be explored.The study will be carried out by the Principal Investigators with the assistance of 7 evaluation "Fellows" drawn from the institutions involved in the study and trained by the Principal Investigators. The "Fellows" will then be a continuing resource for the mathematics and science communities.