Welcome From Jack Narayan

On behalf of the steering committee, I would like to welcome you all to this conference on "Rethinking Precalculus." I am exceedingly pleased that you all have decided to participate in the conference despite the tragic circumstances. I am optimistic that the conference will result in some recommendations that will translate into programs to improve students' success in courses leading up to calculus.

We are fortunate to have Lynn Steen give the Opening Address. Lynn needs no introduction to members of this audience. However, I would invite you to view his many contributions that are listed on his web page http://www.stolaf.edu/people/steen/

I would like to acknowledge the assistance of members of the steering committee in the planning that resulted in this conference. I continue to depend on their support as we proceed with the program itself. I must acknowledge the several weeks of hard work by Andrea Marsh.

We recall the MAA volume "Preparing for a New Calculus" edited by Anita Solow addressed some of the same concerns that we now raise several years later. Our task is to get outcomes that would result in lasting change. To that end, I urge you to look at the web site and in particular at the questions that we raise in the section called "Rationale." Those questions together with the 20 that will be posed by Lynn Steen should set the stage for a very challenging two days. Please read also the sections: Summary, Outcomes, Introduction, and Discussions.

I look forward to seeing many of you at the reception on Thursday and every one at the conference. Please feel free to suggest steps that we may take to improve our productivity.
Have a safe trip.

Our Program Officer is Dennis Davenport who plans to attend some of the conference proceedings.

Jack Narayan