Work in progress — Calculus placement modeling for engineering student potentially contributes to appropriate advising

The appropriate placement for mathematics courses for first-year engineering students is an important factor in ensuring the success of engineering students in terms of retention and graduation rates. However, often the advisors only are able to look at the cutoffs of a few factors when making their recommendations. We propose that modeling offers advisors a more effective method to integrate multiple factors in order to make the most appropriate recommendation for first year math courses to entering students and help ensure student success. Results to be reported in this study are effectiveness of predicting engineering students' success in Calculus I courses using regression models, significant predictors to Calculus I grades, the actual recommendations that students received from advisors for appropriate calculus placement, whether students took the advisors recommendations in choosing a calculus placement, and the relationship between the model and what advisors are actually advising. The results of this study will provide information that helps to find the most effective means of advising to help ensure student success.