Effects of Texas' Isomorphic Curriculum on Readiness for Post-secondary STEM Gateway Courses in Chemistry

Sep 17, 2026

Study of readiness for post-secondary STEM gateway chemistry courses used six years of assessment data from nine Texas universities. In-state and out-of-state performance were compared for general chemistry I and II sequence, using calculator-free diagnostic instruments measuring broad prior knowledge. MUST examined basic arithmetic procedures, QL/QR evaluated drawing conclusions from image-based data, and DAT measured algebra skills. Combined results indicated Texas students initially underperformed peers; those continuing to Chem II improved and matched out-of-state performance statistically.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

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Pages7

Reading Time18 min

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Abstract

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Introduction

Effects of Texas' Isomorphic Curriculum on Readiness for Post-secondary STEM Gateway Courses in Chemistry Ben Jang, PhD1, Adrian Villalta-Cerdas2, G. Robert Shelton, Ph.D.3, Anton Dubrovskiy, PhD4, Cynthia B. Powell, Ph.D.5, Blain Mamiya, Ph.D.6, Susan Broadway7, Rebecca Weber, PhD8, Vickie M. Williamson, PhD, ACSF9 1 Professor, Dept. of Chemistry, Texas A&M University-Commerce, Commerce, [TX 75429-3011. Email: Ben.Jang@tamuc.edu](TX 75429-3011. Email: Ben.Jang@tamuc.edu)[ ](TX 75429-3011. Email: Ben.Jang@tamuc.edu)[https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1464-235X](https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1464-235X) 2 Assistant Professor of Chemistry, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX, 77340, Email: [axv067@shsu.edu](axv067@shsu.edu)[ ](axv067@shsu.edu)[https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5445-2836](https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5445-2836) 3 Assistant Instructional Professor – Chemistry, Department of Science & Mathematics, Program Coordinator for Physical Sciences Director of International Education, Texas A&M University – San Antonio, One University Way, San Antonio, TX 78224, phone: 210.784.2246; email: [bob.shelton@tamusa.edu](bob.shelton@tamusa.edu); [https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9109-342X](https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9109-342X) 4 Dept of Physical and Applied Sciences, University of Houston – Clear Lake, Chemistry Program, 2700 Bay Area Blvd, Houston, TX 77058-1002, Email: [anton.dubrovskiy@gmail.com](anton.dubrovskiy@gmail.com); [https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5917-7394](https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5917-7394) 5 Professor, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Executive Director, Center for Pre-Health Professions, Abilene Christian University, [Email: powellc@acu.edu](Email: powellc@acu.edu); 325-674-2864 or 325-674-2351; [https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6719-4186](https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6719-4186) 6 Assistant Professor of Instruction, Basic Chemistry Coordinator, University of Texas at San Antonio, Department of Chemistry San Antonio, TX 78249, Office: BSE 1.660, Office Phone: (210) 458-5448; [Email: blain.mamiya@utsa.edu](Email: blain.mamiya@utsa.edu); [https://orcid.org/0000-](https://orcid.org/0000-)[ ](https://orcid.org/0000-)[0001-6460-4928](0001-6460-4928) 7 Lecturer. Department of Chemistry. University of North Texas. Denton, TX 76203-5017. Email: [suechemist@verizon.net](suechemist@verizon.net); [https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8489-3448](https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8489-3448) 8 Senior Lecturer and Undergraduate Advisor, Department of Chemistry, University of North Texas, Denton, TX 76203-5017, Email: [rebecca.weber@unt.edu](rebecca.weber@unt.edu); 940-369-8433; [https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4384-6084](https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4384-6084) 9 Instructional Professor Emeritus, Texas A&M University, Department of Chemistry, College Station, TX 77843-3255, Email: [williamson@tamu.edu](williamson@tamu.edu); [https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6071-8765](https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6071-8765) *Corresponding author: Diana Mason, PhD, Professor Emeritus, Department of Chemistry, University of North Texas, Denton, TX 76203-5017, Email: [dmason@unt.edu](dmason@unt.edu); [https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1471-8158](https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1471-8158) Citation: Jang B, Villalta-Cerdas A, Shelton GR, Dubrovskiy A, Powell CB (2023) Effects of Texas' Isomorphic Curriculum on Readiness for Post-secondary STEM Gateway Courses in Chemistry. American J Sci Edu Re: AJSER-143. Received Date: 01 December, 2023; Accepted Date: 05 December, 2023; Published Date: 11 December, 2023 Abstract This study analyzed six years of data from nine universities in the state of Texas. Compared were assessment averages reflecting in-state and out-of-state students'preparation for a major STEM gateway course sequence, general chemistry I and II (Chem I/II). Students'preparation was evaluated by calculator-free diagnostic instruments covering a broad range of prior knowledge. The MUST (Math-Up Skills Test) assessed procedural skills in basic arithmetic,

FAQs

What data and institutions were analyzed in the study?

The study analyzed six years of data from nine universities in Texas.

How was student preparation for Chem I/II evaluated?

Preparation was assessed using calculator-free diagnostic instruments: MUST for arithmetic, QL/QR for reasoning from image-based data, and DAT for algebra skills relevant to general chemistry success.

What were the main findings about Texas students’ readiness compared with out-of-state peers?

Students educated in Texas were less prepared for success than out-of-state peers in the initial results; however, students who continued through the sequence to Chem II improved and no longer performed at a statistically lower level.

Sep 17, 2026

Uploaded by Caleb Sterling