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Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Variables that correlate with success in first year algebra

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

First-year algebra is a course that has a high failure rate and because of this it has been a source of concern for educators, parents, and students. The regular algebra course and the decelerated algebra course have been the focus of attention regarding the placement of high school students. The purpose of this research study was to examine several available predictors in concert with early indicators of algebra performance to see if ensuing achievement in algebra could be predicted accurately. Four different criteria measuring layered achievement in algebra were used. Nine predictor variables were examined in various combinations. The predictors were: Algebra Prognosis Test, Study Habits, Previous Course, Previous ii Course Grade, SRA Math Concepts, SRA Math Computation, SRA Reading, SRA Composite, and First Nine Weeks' Algebra Grade. The study found that adequate and promising predictions can be made using combinations of the predictor variables. From these predictors, discriminant function equations were derived and placement into algebra from the use of these discriminant function equations was recommended.

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Ed. D.
Level thesis:degree_level
doctoral
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Educational Administration
Department dc:contributor.department
Educational Administration
Grantor dc:publisher
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Year dc:date.issued
1985

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Sargent, Brenda Lee
Chairs dc:contributor.committeechair
  • McKeen, Ronald L.
  • Fortune, Jimmie C.
Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember
  • Underwood, Kenneth E.
  • Worner, Wayne M.
  • Griffith, William D.

Rights

dc:rights
Statement dc:rights
  • In Copyright
Language dc:language.iso
en_US

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Handle dc:identifier.uri
http://hdl.handle.net/10919/71254
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/71254

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Virginia Tech
Base URL
vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/oai/request
Last updated
2026-07-22
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
related terms
citation

Sargent, Brenda Lee. Variables that correlate with success in first year algebra. doctoral thesis, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1985. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/71254