Why are MATHCUBED students asked to set a goal mark?

MathCubed students are asked to set a personally meaningful goal mark - one that will motivate them when the going gets tough, and the going will invariably get tough at some point.

In order to make sure the goal mark is personally meaningful, I ask the student to tell me why they want that goal. I want them to convince me they are willing to do whatever it takes to reach that goal.

I know what a student has to do to get a certain mark in math, and I also recognize that for a student to improve on last year’s mark they have to make some changes and adjustments in the way they’re doing things. What will motivate him or her to make, and stick with, those changes when the math gets tougher? A goal mark that really matters can provide at least some motivation when it's really needed.