In 1962, as Head of The Mathematics Dept., at Inter American University of Puerto Rico, San Germ´n, Puerto Rico, I abolished conventional A-B-C-D-F grading and instituted "Pass-Fail" grading. (Yale University did this in 1978, but not under as strict conditions as mine.)

The students were learning the content of the Math courses by "Programed Material". After each concept or procedure was explained, the student was asked to solve a problem or answer a question, involving that concept or procedure.

Upon entering the answer in the Workbook blank, the student was directed to another page in the Workbook to check the answer.

If correct, or incorrect but understanding the correction, the student went on to the material. Otherwise, the student was tutored. Going at their "own speed", some students completed two or three semesters work in one some semster. Some students took two semesters to complete the work. But the student correctly completed ALL OF IT -- not a "C-" or "D-percentage" of the work.

This was particularly critical in the two-semester course, "Introduction to College Mathematics, I, II", required of many students. Each student starting this course was given a copy of around 200 Standard Tasks (problems-with-answers), comprehending the minimum which I felt should be covered. (A similar, but not as extensive, list of "Standard Tasks" was given to students in each Math course.) As the student finished one or more of the Tasks, he or she could be individually tested with a new version of a given Task. (I gotta durante-of-em!) If incorrect on a problem, nothing was entered on the student's record, but she/he must do it over when ready. If correct, the Task was checked off on the record. The "Pass" grade meant that the student had done all of the Tasks correctly. I gave a "Fail" only when the student decided to give up. The better students continued to acomplish two semesters of work in one semester. Others might spend two semesters doing one semesterof work, but did it all successfully.

At this Website are STANDARD TASKS. Can you solve them?