At some California schools, Algebra I will now be a two-year process:
Atascadero schools have started a two-year introductory algebra course in hopes of ensuring that all students will meet state requirements and increasing proficiency levels...Atascadero Unified will offer the mathematics course with lessons spread out over two years while still keeping the traditional one-year offering.
Starting in 2006, all California high school students will have to pass the California High School Exit Exam, which tests on algebra and other math as well as language arts. Algebra is the highest level of the math tested on the exam...
State guidelines recommend that students take Algebra I in the eighth grade, though many students enroll later.
The problem with enrolling later is that those who take it later tend to do worse - although that's not proof that taking it earlier will increase comprehension:
Results of Algebra I testing from the California Standards Test showed 94 percent of Atascadero eighth-graders -- 177 students -- scored at the basic level or above, but in higher grades the results weren't as good.
Of 151 ninth-graders who were tested on their Algebra I skills, 36 percent were below the basic level. Of 77 tenth-graders, 56 percent scored below basic, according to the California Standardized Testing and Reporting Web site.
Are two-year classes the answer? I suppose they might be - but I have the feeling most of what will be taught in them is not Algebra, but all the pre-Algebra concepts that the more disadvantaged kids never mastered. Otherwise, I don't see how it's possible to spread introductory Algebra out for two years.
Posted by kswygert at August 30, 2004 04:11 PM