August 11, 2008

LETTERS2theEDITOR

Concerns over math requirement

Editor,
I have been teaching math at the community college level for the past 43 years. The recent state edict that algebra will be required for all 8th graders in three years immediately piqued my interest. I have been involved not only in teaching algebra these many years, but also in improving the delivery of mathematics, especially algebra. This includes leading workshops, writing books and manuals, and serving on a statewide committee to study the systems of numerous California Community Colleges to find those whose success could serve as a "best practice" approach.

The idea was to improve the statistic that less than 50 percent were succeeding in algebra at the community college level. Unfortunately, grant money ran out before the study could be completed. However, several good outcomes resulted due to the study.

It is a known fact that a large number of sections of mathematics taught in the California Community Colleges are remedial courses (math courses taught at the high school level). It is also well known that many of these students take these remedial math classes two, three, or more times in their attempt to satisfy this requirement.

My experience clearly shows that the main reason students are having difficulty passing algebra both at the high schools and community colleges is due to their lack of understanding of the underlying mathematical concepts necessary to succeed in algebra. In addition, schools are pushing students to the next course without passing the previous one.

As an example, when I attended my granddaughter's 7th grade teachers' conference this past year, I asked the math teacher why she was placed in the prealgebra class when she didn't pass the previous math class. I was told it was required by the state and, in addition, they are required to take algebra in the 8th grade regardless of their performance in the 7th grade. I couldn't believe my ears but the vice principal concurred. She also added that an 8th grader who didn't pass algebra could take it again in high school. I explained that this was a recipe for failure. They agreed and the vice principal said they were trying to address this problem within the constraints given them.

So, what might a solution be? It seems logical to offer prealgebra and algebra as an elective for students who have either successfully learned the underlying concepts necessary to succeed in those courses or feel they can succeed nonetheless. For those students who did not pass the perquisite courses, time would be better spent on continuing work on those concepts necessary to succeed in prealgebra or algebra until they are sufficiently mastered.

Certainly, there are other complex aspects to this problem which require more thinking and discussion, but requiring algebra of all 8th grade students without fixing the existing problems will continue to be a recipe for failure for those students who are not yet equipped but are still pushed forward.

Ed Lodi
Campbell

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