Transitional Math Resources for Students and Parents
High school students unprepared for college-level math can enroll in one of three transitional math courses based on district criteria:
- Transition to College Algebra
- Transition to Quantitative Literacy & Statistics
- Transition to Technical Math
Students should select the transitional math course appropriate for their postsecondary education plans, as noted below.
Students who meet the eligibility criteria for transitional math should choose a pathway based on their career interests and meta-major. Use the following information to guide students with that decision.
Students should take Transition to QL/Statistics if they have not selected a meta major.
| Course | Details |
|---|---|
| Transition to College Algebra |
Audience: Students who will need College Algebra but are not ready to take it in their senior year. Common majors/programs: Many AS degrees, most STEM majors, and some nursing majors require College Algebra. This also applies to elementary education, business degrees requiring business calculus, and university programs (BS or BA). Student placement criteria: School districts U-46, 300, 301, and 303 follow state-recommended placement3 criteria for enrolling in District 509 transitional math courses. Students enrolling in Transition to College Algebra must meet two or more of the following indicators:
Additional eligibility criteria: Students who wish to take Transition to STEM will need to meet one of the following prerequisites:
|
| Transition to Quantitative Literacy & Statistics |
Audience: Students needing Liberal Arts Math or Elementary Statistics may not be ready for dual credit or AP versions. They are not prepared for dual enrollment during their senior year.1 Common majors/programs: Most AA degrees, such as history, art, philosophy, and English. Student placement criteria: School districts U-46, 300, and 303 follow state-recommended placement4 for students enrolling in District 509 transitional math courses. Students enrolling in Transition to Quantitative Literacy and Statistics must be seniors who have met the high school math requirement. |
| Transition to Technical Math |
Audience: Students plan to pursue a career requiring technical math skills but not a four-year degree.2 Common majors/programs: Most AA degrees, such as history, art, philosophy, and English. |
|
1Transition to QL/Stats is a better option for students who need College Algebra but feel Transition to College Algebra is too difficult. Many colleges have options to reduce time to complete College Algebra. 2If the CC only has one tech math course required that is the same as the transitional tech math course, it would be better to have dual credit tech math at the HS instead of transitional technical math. 3In addition to these measures, Community Unit School District 300 places students into transitional math courses based on success in Algebra II (C or higher) and NMSQT/SAT score ranges specific to the courses Transition to College Algebra (450-510). Community Unit School District 300 utilizes the NMSQT range for placement to ensure students are placed appropriately within the transitional math courses. Students enrolled in all districts were high school seniors who had earned 3.0 math credits. 4In addition to these measures, Community Unit School District 300 places students into transitional math courses based on success in Algebra II (C or higher), and NMSQT/SAT score ranges specific to the courses Transition to Quantitative Literacy (400-450). Community Unit School District 300 utilizes the NMSQT range for placement to ensure students are placed appropriately within the transitional math courses offered. Students enrolled in all districts were high school seniors who had earned 3.0 math credits. |
|
Transitional Math Courses Offered by District
The public education partners in Community College District 509 have collaborated to develop these three transitional math courses currently offered, as noted below, in all high school districts.
Current transitional math courses
- Transition to College Algebra
- Transition to Qualitative Literacy and Statistics
- Transition to Technical Math
Contact
Amy Ingente
amyingente@u-46.org
Current transitional math courses
- Transition to College Algebra
- Transition to Qualitative Literacy and Statistics
Contact
Jacquie Duginske
jacquie.duginske@d300.org
Current transitional math courses
- Transition to College Algebra
Contact
AJ Piehl
alex.piehl@central301.net
Transitional math courses currently offered:
- Transition to College Algebra
- Transition to Qualitative Literacy and Statistics
Contact
Tina King
Using Transitional Math Success for College Placement
Students who earn a C or better in a high school transitional math course can enroll in college-level math. This applies when entering any Illinois community college or participating four-year post-secondary institution (Illinois University Participation in Transitional Math | Ed Systems NIU).
Students interested in attending ECC should submit their high school transcript or class schedule showing enrollment in a transitional math course. This should be sent to the ECC Admissions Office at admissions@elgin.edu. The student’s ECC record will be updated to show enrollment in a high school transitional math course. This helps the student meet ECC’s math placement requirements to sign up for a New Student Orientation. They can then complete course planning with an ECC academic advisor before the end of their final high school term.
The final step in the enrollment process is to register for ECC courses. Suppose a transitional math student wants to register for ECC courses while their final semester of high school is in progress. In that case, completion of the following steps will help ensure timely registration:
- Students should send an email to the Registration Office at registration@elgin.edu with the following:
- Subject line: Math Course Registration Request
- Provided: Full name, ECC ID, date of birth, term and course title, and course code.
- Enrollment in a transitional math course allows placement in an appropriate ECC math course based on successful completion. Successful completion ("C" or better) of their transitional math course will serve as placement.
- Students are responsible for ensuring ECC receives their final grade for the Transitional High School Math course. They must submit their final high school transcript to admissions@elgin.edu before starting their enrolled math course.
- Students registering for an ECC math course after high school completion should follow the standard enrollment process.
Contact
Dean of College Transitions and Secondary Partnerships
Building G, Room G219
847-214-7824
sgonzalez@elgin.edu