Change Prerequisite and its Impact on Nursing Statistics Course

Abstract

In 2008 Alberta Education proposed a change of high school mathematics curriculum from the previous Pure Math-10, 20, 30 and Applied Math-10, 20, 30 to Math 10-C, Math 20-1, Math 30-1, Math 20-2, Math 30-2, Math 10-3 Math 20-3 and Math 30-3. The new high school mathematics curriculum was implemented in 2010 and the first group of high school graduates with this new mathematics curriculum got into the post-secondary institutions in 2013. With the old mathematics curriculum, the prerequisite was Pure Math 30 for the students taking mathematics or statistics courses in science and engineering (including nursing) in any post-secondary institutions in Alberta. With the new mathematics curriculum, the prerequisite is Math 30-1 for the students taking mathematics or statistics courses in science and engineering. A question was raised: “Do we allow the students with Math 30-2 to take introductory statistics for nursing degree program?” By comparing the contents of Math 20-1, Math 30-1 and Math 20-2, Math 30-2, the answer was yes from all the post-secondary institutions in Alberta. As a result, the prerequisite for nursing statistics course has been Math 30-1 or Math 30-2 (changed from the previous Pure Math 30) since 2013. What is the impact with this change of the prerequisite? Is there any difference in statistics course performance between the students with prerequisite Math 30-1 and Math 30-2? In the past five years, there were about 1000 students taking the nursing statistics course at Mount Royal University. A sample of 279 students regarding their performance in statistics course and prerequisites was gathered. Statistical analyses indicate significant difference between two groups. Some explanations and suggestions are given in this study