What Is Transitional Math?
All approved transitional math pathway courses are eligible for statewide portability to credit-bearing coursework for students who complete the course with a passing grade. The PWR Act organizes Illinois’ approach to transitional math into three overarching math pathways: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM); Quantitative Literacy and Statistics; and Technical Math.
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)
The STEM pathway is for students with career goals in occupations that require calculus or advanced algebra.
In accordance with and subject to the PWR Act, successful attainment of transitional mathematics competencies in the STEM pathway guarantees student placement into a calculus-based mathematics course sequence at an Illinois community college. Specifically, this will mean placement into College Algebra.
Quantitative Literacy and Statistics
The Quantitative Literacy and Statistics pathway is for students focused on attaining competency in general statistics, data analysis, quantitative literacy, and problem solving. This pathway is intended for students:
- Whose career goals do not involve occupations requiring College Algebra coursework; or
- Whose career goals do not involve occupations relating to either the STEM or Technical Math Pathway; or
- Who have not yet selected a career goal.
In accordance with and subject to the PWR Act, successful attainment of transitional mathematics competencies in the Quantitative Literacy and Statistics pathway guarantees student placement into an IAI General Education Core Curriculum mathematics course at an Illinois community college. This includes Elementary Math Modeling (M1907), General Education Mathematics (M1904), General Education Statistics (M1902), or Quantitative Literacy (M1901).
Note: Codes listed in parentheses are Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI) course identifier codes. Course descriptions are available on the iTransfer website.
Technical Math
The Technical Math pathway is for students with career goals in technical fields that do not require calculus, advanced algebra, or advanced statistics. The mathematics in this pathway emphasizes the application of mathematics in career settings and is particularly relevant for students in career and technical education (CTE) programs.
In accordance with and subject to the PWR Act, successful attainment of transitional mathematics competencies in the Technical Math pathway guarantees student placement into a credit-bearing postsecondary mathematics course required for a career and technical education program at an Illinois community college.