RESEARCH QUESTIONS

About the Study
Research Questions
Design & Samples
Measures
Study Timeline

This study addresses the following policy questions:

• Is it benefical for students to take Algebra I in eighth grade as an online course compared the available course offering for eighth-grade math?
• Is taking online algebra in eighth grade beneficial for the students who their schools judge to be ready, as measured by mathematics achievement, courses taken, and credits earned?

The primary research questions of this study are as follows:

• Do students who have access to an online Algebra I course perform better in terms of mathematics achievement at the end of eighth grade and at the beginning of 10th grade than they would have in the absence of access to an online Algebra I course?
• Does a greater proportion of students from schools that offer Algebra I online to eighth graders enroll and succeed in higher-level math courses in 9th and 10th grade than students from schools that do not offer Algebra I to eighth graders?