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Math for El. Ed. 1 (MAT201M) Requirements

Undergrad Majors & Programs Math & Computer Science Math Placement Exams

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Math & Computer Science

Prerequisite Skills Requirement

Prospective elementary educators will come to Bethel with a variety of abilities in mathematics. In our efforts to facilitate student success in the Math for Elementary Education sequence, Bethel has a process for identifying strengths and weaknesses in each student’s mathematics background. Many students will come adequately prepared for success in our courses. Some, however, may need additional support and review of foundational skills necessary to succeed in the Bethel mathematics courses, prepare for licensure examinations, and confidently progress toward a career in teaching. The identification and review process is summarized graphically on the El. Ed. Policy Flowchart (pdf) and is also detailed below.

Course Prerequisites

Before registering for MAT201M (Mathematics for Elementary Education 1), a student must demonstrate sufficient prerequisite skills in basic mathematics. Students who have scored 24 (or higher) on the math portion of the ACT, or 560 (or higher) on the math portion of the SAT automatically qualify to register for MAT201M. Students falling below the required ACT or SAT math scores must successfully complete Bethel's ALEKS Math for Elementary Education Prep course (see information below). Students who have not taken a math course within the last two years or those who are apprehensive about enrolling in this math course should seriously consider taking Bethel's ALEKS Math for Elementary Education prep course as a "refresher." Students who cannot provide an ACT or SAT score have two options for meeting the MAT201M prerequisite skills requirement:

  • successfully complete Bethel's ALEKS Math for Elementary Education Prep course (recommended), or
  • score at or above the 80% level on the MAT201M pretest.

Timing of Course Enrollment

  • Students who satisfy the prerequisite skills requirement for MAT201M should plan to enroll in the spring of their freshman year or during their sophomore year.
  • Students having fewer than 15 semester credits will not be admitted to the course unless they have a sufficient ACT/SAT score and are pursuing a middle level (grades 5-8) teaching endorsement in mathematics.

Pretest Information

  • Students who cannot provide an ACT or SAT score have the option of taking a “pretest” to determine if they qualify for registration in MAT201M.
  • Students may take the test only once and must score at or above the 80% level.
  • Students failing to score 80% must then enroll in, and satisfactorily complete, Bethel’s ALEKS Math for Elementary Education Prep course before taking MAT201M.
  • Students wishing to take the pretest must make arrangements with the Mathematics Department to schedule a test session by contacting the Director of Testing, at mathcs-testing-manager@bethel.edu.
  • Before taking the pretest, students are strongly encouraged to go through the Pretest Objectives and Review Material below, and take advantage of the review information, practice test, and online instructional support.

ALEKS® Math for Elementary Education Prep Course

Bethel's ALEKS Math for Elementary Education Prep course is an online, self-paced program designed to reinforce foundational skills needed for success in MAT201M. A 6-week access code for the course can be purchased for about $30. The course begins with a diagnostic test, and then creates a personalized plan for working through various topics that need attention. To enroll in this course please see the ALEKS enrollment instructions (pdf). PSEO students are not exempt from paying the ALEKS access fee.

  • To successfully complete the ALEKS course, students must demonstrate 90% mastery in each of eight course topic categories. Upon successful completion of the ALEKS course, students will qualify to register for Math for El. Ed. 1 (MAT201M). To receive official clearance for registration in Math for El. Ed. 1, students should email the Math Testing Manager in the Mathematics Department. This email must be sent at least one work day before you plan to register for the course.
  • Students who are unable to successfully complete the ALEKS course should schedule a meeting with the Education Department Chair to determine the next step in his or her degree program.

ALEKS is a registered trademark of ALEKS Corporation.

Pretest Option Information

Math for El. Ed. 1 Pretest Objectives

Bethel's MAT201M pretest targets just a handful of essential non-calculator skills that students are assumed to have mastered prior to enrollment in college-level coursework. You may be a little rusty at a few of the skills, so you are encouraged to spend some time preparing for this pretest. Helpful information relative to these topics can be found in the online review sections below. Tutors are also available in the Math Lab to assist you with your specific pretest needs.

Without the aid of a calculator, the student should be able to:

  1. Add, subtract, multiply, and divide reasonably simple rational numbers (integers, fractions, decimals).
  2. Identify place values and interpret meanings of digits in base-ten numerals.
  3. Round decimal numerals to requested place values.
  4. Compare and/or order decimal numerals and/or fractions.
  5. Convert fractions to decimals and terminating decimals to fractions (or mixed numbers).
  6. Simplify fractions and convert improper fractions to mixed numerals (and vice-versa).
  7. Find a percent of a number.
  8. Read a customary ruler (to nearest 1/16 inch) and a metric ruler (to nearest 0.1 cm).
  9. Simplify numerical expressions using order of operations. These may involve addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, exponents, roots, and parentheses.
  10. Evaluate simple functions in one variable using order of operations. These may involve addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, exponents, and parentheses.
  11. Solve simple equations in one variable (using axioms of arithmetic and equality).
  12. Compute areas and perimeters of common geometric shapes (triangles, quadrilaterals, and circles).

Review Resources