Not Ready for Algebra

A trend shows that elementary and advanced math students have fallen below the national average. The Brown Center on Education Policy hosted an event at the Brookings Institution recently to discuss possible ways to better prepare students to succeed in higher-level math courses.

“Algebra in eighth grade was once reserved for the mathematically gifted student” the Brookings Institution noted in an October 2008 events announcement. “From 1990 to 2007, national enrollment in algebra courses soared from 16 percent to more than 30 percent of all eighth graders.” However, proficiency scores of advanced eighth-grade algebra students show a continued decline, explained Tom Loveless, director of the Brown Center on Education Policy. Actually, students who were not necessarily mathematically-gifted in Catholic schools in the 1960s and 1970s were routinely taught Algebra I as a general requirement in 6th grade.

In a September 2008 Special Release Report entitled, “The Misplaced Math Student: Lost In Eighth-Grade Algebra,” Loveless presented information as to what might be causing the advanced eighth-grade algebra students to fall below the national goal.

“In 1990, very few eighth graders, about one out of six, were enrolled in an algebra course. As the decade unfolded, leaders began urging schools to increase that number. President Clinton lamented, ‘Around the world, middle school students are learning algebra and geometry. Here at home, just a quarter of all students take algebra before high school.’ The administration made enrolling all children in an algebra course by eighth grade a national goal,” as Loveless reported in the 2008 documented study.....

Article is correct. I've seen many 6-8th graders that were not ready for algebra due to the complete lack of understanding of fractions. For whatever reason here in Western VA, the kids are not grasping fractional concepts in elementary school. So by the time we get them in middle school, we spend the entire 6th grade year on remedial basic fractions.

Being an “insider” (library aide)I was fortunate enough to make sure both my sons had math teachers that actually had math degrees, so both have been in the gifted-talented, advanced courses all throughout their school years. Only now my oldest is a junior in h.s. and calculus is the last math course offered in our district. He has been offered a position at our “Governor's School”, but would not be allowed to attend it and his precision machining class at our local vocational school at the same time.

He intends to be an engineer, and also wants to be a gun smith, (dream job-Beretta designer), so he really wants to continue the machining class. The machining course is a 2 year program. It is sad to think he will not have a math class during his senior year, but it is really sad that math talented students in our area have to decide between real life skill acquiring courses, and the higher math that will be necessary in college.

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