Math 111 –  intermediate algebra — is the “most failed” class at Oregon State.  Students aren’t prepared, says an instructor.

“If you never had to memorize your times tables, how do you factor a number with a calculator?” (Peter) Argyres said. “I see people fail Math 111 for arithmetic issues all the time.”

When students never learned the basic information appropriately in high school, or earlier, it is significantly more difficult for them to succeed when they get to college algebra.

Only half of incoming students place into college math.

OSU Frosh Gettin’ Suspicious They Ain’t Learnin’ Much in High School, summarizes the Two Million Minutes Blog.