When is algebra one taught?

Algebra is the first math course students typically take in high school. It is a critical part of the education system that prepares students for advanced math courses. The course teaches students about expressions, equations, and graphing. It also focuses on developing abstract reasoning skills and understanding how mathematics can be applied to real-world situations. 

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Is it better for an eighth grader to take algebra or wait?

In recent years, schools across the country have begun reassessing how algebra should be taught to students. Historically, schools have split students into tracks, with some students accelerating to algebra II and other students skipping the course entirely in favor of more advanced math courses like pre-calculus and statistics. 

That practice, said James Spielhagen, a research professor at the University of Washington, has been a problem for both students and school districts. Students who are more likely to struggle with algebra have a harder time succeeding in math, and that makes it more difficult for them to progress to higher-level math courses in high school and college. 

But there are ways to combat this. For example, in San Francisco, the city’s public school system halted teaching algebra I in eighth grade, replacing it with a three-year sequence of math courses that includes accelerated algebra II and geometry. That change has resulted in about 40% fewer students repeating the class during their academic careers. 

If you are an 8th grader, it is a good idea to consider taking algebra in middle school. Taking it earlier can help you develop important skills, including the ability to think analytically and solve problems by hand. 

However, some teachers worry that taking algebra in the eighth grade may not give students an adequate grasp of the material. Some students have found the material overwhelming, or they simply don’t have enough background knowledge to understand what they are learning. 

Some teachers also fear that their students will be overwhelmed by the speed at which new material is covered. For example, at Heuvelton Central School in northwestern New York State, the hybrid schedule that alternating groups of middle and high school students are on means that teachers have only two days a week to teach algebra I. 

Regardless of when you are taking it, algebra is an important course that can prepare you for a variety of careers and other fields. Many employers look for people with strong mathematical skills and an interest in pursuing further studies in math or science. 

What should I do if I am struggling in algebra?

I can do some online work or get a tutor. I can even do some homework at home. 

But if I want to really learn algebra, I need to have a solid resource that I can use to do all the exercises and workbooks. This will not only give me the best chance of actually learning it, but it will also make it easier to study if I’m having trouble.