Discussed are the difficulties that entering college freshmen seem to have with mathematics, particularly with fractional forms. A success-oriented program is suggested in which all students are successful. To obtain this goal, a number of alternative routes are discussed such as presenting decimals before fractional forms and the use of the…

Approaches to mathematical notation that are viewed as good communicators of information are promoted. It is felt that when students are learning an area of mathematics, a large proportion of effort should be devoted to teaching notation. Increasing student understanding is stressed. (MP)

It is noted that less than 35 percent of 406 collegiate institutions recently surveyed offered a course specifically concerning the history of mathematics. This is viewed as a very disturbing situation. Reasons for teaching such a course are given, and suggestions are made regarding course instruction. (MP)