Is calculus an addiction that college admissions officers can’t shake?

A new survey shows how the subject has become a proxy for academic rigor

by Jill Barshay

Hechinger Report

December 9, 2024

Summary for Educators: "Is Calculus an Addiction That College Admissions Officers Can’t Shake?"

By Jill Barshay, The Hechinger Report, December 9, 2024
URL: Original Article

High school calculus remains a contentious subject in education, serving as a gatekeeper to academic rigor and college admissions. Although only 20 percent of high school seniors nationwide take calculus, it continues to be seen as an essential milestone for college-bound students, despite criticism from educators, math experts, and equity advocates.

The Problem with Calculus as a Proxy for Academic Rigor

Calculus is often considered a marker of academic excellence, especially in competitive college admissions. However, this perception has led to systemic inequities:

• Inequitable Access: Around 17 percent of high school students in the U.S. do not have access to calculus, limiting opportunities for many, especially in underserved communities.
• Misalignment with College Needs: Many non-STEM university professors argue that high schoolers would benefit more from practical math courses such as statistics, data analysis, or financial literacy. Even students pursuing STEM majors often retake calculus in college, highlighting the insufficient preparation provided by accelerated high school math pathways.
• Rushed Curriculum: Critics say that the push toward high school calculus often results in weaker algebra and foundational math skills, which are critical for long-term success.

College Admissions: The Calculus Bias

A 2024 survey by the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) and Just Equations underscores the weight calculus carries in admissions decisions:

• Admissions Favoritism: Although 95 percent of surveyed admissions officers agreed that calculus is not essential for all students, 74 percent ranked AP Calculus among the top math courses influencing admission decisions. About 30 percent of officers acknowledged that calculus gives applicants an edge.
• Misconceptions of Rigor: Admissions officers frequently view calculus as inherently more rigorous than newer math courses like data science and statistics. This bias persists despite mounting evidence that alternative courses may better prepare students for modern academic and professional demands.

Equity and Systemic Challenges

The prioritization of calculus exacerbates inequities in access and opportunity. Accelerated math tracks, often determined as early as middle school, disproportionately benefit affluent students. Additionally, schools lacking resources to offer calculus may inadvertently disadvantage their students in college applications.

Emerging Shifts in Admissions Perspectives

The study found early signs of change among some admissions professionals:

• Evolving Standards: A small but growing number of colleges are rethinking their calculus emphasis. Some admissions officers indicated they now consider alternatives like statistics and data science as adequate substitutes, especially for non-STEM applicants.
• Impact of Test-Optional Policies: With standardized tests like the SAT playing a diminished role in admissions, some universities now rely more heavily on calculus to assess math readiness, particularly for engineering and STEM-focused candidates.

Barriers to Change

Despite the acknowledgment of calculus’ limitations, shifting deeply ingrained admissions practices is challenging. Many admissions officers face pressure from university faculty who prioritize calculus. Additionally, without concrete evidence that students who skip calculus can thrive in college, institutions remain cautious about embracing alternative math pathways.

Looking Ahead

Advocates like Pamela Burdman of Just Equations argue for a broader acceptance of diverse math courses in college admissions. The goal is to enable equitable access to higher education without relying on calculus as a universal standard. Progress will depend on selective institutions proving that students who take non-calculus math tracks perform equally well in college. Until then, the calculus emphasis is likely to persist.

This article highlights the ongoing need for systemic reform in math education and college admissions, urging educators and policymakers to reevaluate long-standing assumptions about academic rigor.

Original Article

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Prepared with the assistance of AI software

OpenAI. (2024). ChatGPT (4) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com