What does it mean for students to be "ready for algebra"?
Students with a strong track record in mathematics through seventh grade who exhibit understanding in key pre-algebra concepts may be considered by their teachers and schools to be prepared for the course. Some of those pre-algebra concepts are shown below, in a list of prerequisite skills for Class.com’s Algebra I course.
Student Readiness Indicators- Mathematics Prerequisites for Success in Algebra I:
Works flexibly with fractions, decimals, and percents to solve problems
Compares and orders fractions, decimals, integers and percents efficiently and finds their approximate locations on a number line;
Computes with integers, decimals, fractions, and mixed numbers, and has develop fluency in their use;
Uses factors, multiples, prime factorization, and relatively prime numbers to solve problems;
Works flexibly with ratios and proportions to solve problems;
Finds length, area, volume, and angle measures;
Has developed an initial conceptual understanding of different uses of variables; and
Solves 1-step equations using the four basic operations.
These prerequisites are provided as a guideline to schools, and it is up to each participating school to decide which of their entering eighth graders are ready for algebra. That is, each school, not the study team, will decide which of their students is eligible for the Virtual Algebra course.The study team will work with each school to document the decision-making process but will not interfere with schools’ decisions about what is best for their students.
ELIGIBILITY
Maine and Vermont are the target states for this study because offering Algebra I in eighth grade is a priority for both states. Additionally, Maine has a strong technology initiative that can support the infrastructure needed in the schools to support an online course.
Who is eligible to participate?
Schools in Maine and Vermont that serve eighth grade students that do not typically offer Algebra I as part of their eighth grade math program are eligible to participate. By “typically offer” we mean having a dedicated teacher for Algebra I that meets with the same frequency as other eighth grade math classes in the school.
In the Spring of each year of the project (Spring 2008, 2009, and 2010), each participating school will identify seventh grade students whom they consider to be ready for Algebra I next school year, as eighth graders.
Participating schools participated in a lottery to determine which year they will receive the online Algebra I course. During the 2008-2009 school year, half of the eligible schools are receiving the online Algebra I course for the first time, and the other half will conduct their regular eighth grade math program. The schools that do not receive the online Algebra I course during the 2008-2009 school year will have the opportunity to receive an online Algebra I course during the 2009-2010 school year. All schools can receive the course at no cost for two consecutive years.
