| Improving college performance and retention is a daunting task for colleges and universities. Many institutions are taking action to increase retention rates by exploring their academic programs. Regression analysis was used to compare the effectiveness of ACT mathematics scores, high school grade point averages (HSGPA), and demographic factors such as age, gender, ethnicity, and socio-economic status for predicting final grades in students' first mathematics courses at Spring Hill College. The results of this study were examined to validate whether the current system for placing students in first-year mathematics courses is successful. Data was used from 870 student records for the freshman fall cohorts from 2008 to 2010. Students were enrolled in Intermediate Algebra, Precalculus, or Calculus I. The results of the study indicate that ACT mathematics score, HSGPA, age, and gender were all statistically significant predictors of students' grades in their first-year mathematics courses with HSGPA the best predictor of all. It was recommended that admission counselors and mathematics department faculty place students in freshmen mathematics courses based on HSGPA, ACT mathematics scores, and the number of mathematics courses taken in high school but with a much stronger emphasis on HSGPA. |
