Issue 8: Student Retention

Issue 8: Student Retention

Key Indicator 8.0: Student intention to continue in the study of mathematics

The intent of this key indicator is to provide some measure of student attitudes toward mathematics as a field of study and the success of the department to retain a diverse student population in mathematics courses.

(Click the indicator number for record detail.)

Indicator Number
Sub Indicator

Description

8.1

Students feel that the instructor is aware of the mathematical needs of their major field of study.

Documents the degree to which students perceive their instructors being 'in synch' with the mathematics needs of the various client disciplines, as reflected in the content of the course being taught.

8.2

Students believe that the content of the course they have just completed will be useful in their future.

This is intended as a gauge of student attitudes toward mathematics, and in particular, whether students believe that the content of the course they are currently taking will be useful and presumably worthwhile.

8.3

Students look forward to taking more mathematics.

This is intended to help document student attitudes toward mathematics. Specifically, this indicator suggests the degree to which students are looking forward to taking additional mathematics courses. One possible measure of student retentivity in a mathematics program.

8.4

Proportionate numbers of women and ethnic minorities intend to continue in the study of mathematics.

This indicator is a measure of the department's success in retaining in mathematics classes, traditionally underrepresented groups such as women and ethnic minorities.

Indicator Number	Sub Indicator	Description
8.1	Students feel that the instructor is aware of the mathematical needs of their major field of study.	Documents the degree to which students perceive their instructors being 'in synch' with the mathematics needs of the various client disciplines, as reflected in the content of the course being taught.
8.2	Students believe that the content of the course they have just completed will be useful in their future.	This is intended as a gauge of student attitudes toward mathematics, and in particular, whether students believe that the content of the course they are currently taking will be useful and presumably worthwhile.
8.3	Students look forward to taking more mathematics.	This is intended to help document student attitudes toward mathematics. Specifically, this indicator suggests the degree to which students are looking forward to taking additional mathematics courses. One possible measure of student retentivity in a mathematics program.
8.4	Proportionate numbers of women and ethnic minorities intend to continue in the study of mathematics.	This indicator is a measure of the department's success in retaining in mathematics classes, traditionally underrepresented groups such as women and ethnic minorities.