Program Guide - Department of Human Resources, Labour and ...
Program Guide - Department of Human Resources, Labour and ...
Program Guide - Department of Human Resources, Labour and ...
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Level III Mathematics<br />
Introduction<br />
Level III Mathematics has been substantially revised <strong>and</strong> now <strong>of</strong>fers General,<br />
Academic <strong>and</strong> Advanced streams. The rationale for the revised focus may be traced<br />
to a combination <strong>of</strong> issues. First, the review process revealed that the existing<br />
Algebra component presented content in an improper sequence, resulting in<br />
confusion for students <strong>and</strong> instructors. Second, the rate <strong>of</strong> attrition in Technology<br />
programs largely resulted from inadequate pre-requisite Mathematic skills. It must<br />
be noted that ABE students were not alone in this respect; secondary graduates also<br />
experienced difficulty.<br />
Recognizing this problem, inadequate mathematic skills, the secondary system<br />
reviewed the Mathematics program <strong>and</strong> implemented substantial changes to high<br />
school courses. Subsequently, the ABE Instructor Validation Team felt that it was<br />
necessary to examine the new secondary courses <strong>and</strong> agreed that the revised ABE<br />
program should incorporate the revised content. Hence, the new ABE courses are<br />
largely consistent with the high school courses.<br />
It must be noted that the objectives for the Advanced stream appear at, first glance,<br />
to be less specific than those <strong>of</strong> the Academic stream. The key distinction between<br />
the two streams is the depth to which the objectives should be addressed, with the<br />
Advanced courses requiring a much more rigorous exploration <strong>of</strong> concepts.<br />
Practically every post-secondary program is, or will be, specifying increasingly<br />
rigorous prerequisite Mathematics skills as a reflection <strong>of</strong> encroaching technologies.<br />
It is incumbent upon all ABE instructors to counsel students into the Academic or<br />
Advanced streams in most instances. The General stream has its place, but it may<br />
not provide most students with the skills they will require in subsequent postsecondary<br />
programs. Students who insist upon completing only the General<br />
component, should be strongly cautioned.<br />
Reference Materials<br />
Most delivery institutions have invested quite heavily in textbooks <strong>and</strong> other<br />
resources so the reference list includes these titles where possible. However, it<br />
should be noted that the Academic <strong>and</strong> Advanced streams include texts used in the<br />
secondary system <strong>and</strong> instructors are strongly encouraged to acquire sufficient<br />
quantities <strong>of</strong> these texts.<br />
It should be noted that the reference to the Westviking College Gopher is accessible<br />
under the Stem~Net Post Secondary <strong>and</strong> Pr<strong>of</strong>essional Development directory. This<br />
113<br />
ABE Level III Curriculum