Editorial: We can't afford not to invest in universal algebra plan (Outside Source)
Getting all middle school students to take and do well in Algebra I within three years won't come cheap. It may not cost $3.1 billion, which is Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell's price tag. But it will be closer to that than what Schwarzenegger has budgeted: zip. Mercury News Editorial (San Jose Mercury News, 8/14/08)
O’Connell issues comprehensive plan for Algebra I (Outside Source)
Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell today released a $3.1 billion plan for statewide Algebra I instruction and a challenge to Gov. Schwarzenegger: Either put up or take back. If you’re not willing to fund the program, then ask the state Board of Education to rescind its decision requiring all eighth graders to take Algebra I within three years. John Fensterwald (San Jose Mercury News - News Blogs ,8/12/08)
Do the math: Algebra mandate's a formula for failure (Outside Source)
California eighth-graders currently rank 44th among the states in math achievement. But despite this embarrassing showing, California has just become the first state to require every eighth-grader in public school to enroll in Algebra 1. While the goal is admirable, its application is flawed. Jack Stewart and Bob Balgenorth (Sacramento Bee, 7/24/08)
Algebra and abracadabra (Outside Source)
Here is a story of two young men of my acquaintance, both products of the California public schools. Both enrolled in algebra in the eighth grade. Timm Herdt (Ventura County Star, 7/16/08)
Algebra testing sets kids up to fail (Outside Source)
The recent action by the State Board of Education, as reported by The Times in "California mandates testing every eighth-grader in algebra — ready or not,” is a disappointment for those involved at the front lines of California's educational system. The board's action is a classic example of a decision made in haste in response to a manufactured crisis, and it will result in a strain on the relationships between teachers, parents and students who are simply not ready for algebra in middle school. Paul H. Chatman (Los Angeles Times, 7/16/08)
The quick road to math success: Get a bigger whip (Outside Source)
There've been lots of complaints that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has neither much interest in education policy, nor the capacity to deal with it. But his precipitous plunge into the algebra wars last week and the state Board of Education's sudden decision to bow to his demand makes you wish that that he had less interest or a lot more capacity. Peter Schrag (Sacramento Bee, 7/15/08)
Who’ll teach the kids Algebra? (Outside Source)
The Santa-Cruz based Center for the Future of Teaching and Learning has offered a sober warning, now that the State Board of Education has voted to require every eighth grader to be tested – and therefore take a course in –Algebra I within the next three years. John Fensterwald (San Jose Mercury News, 7/15/08)
Testing for algebra (Outside Source)
California has made great strides toward teaching algebra in the eighth grade. Six years ago, fewer than a third of eighth-graders took the course that's considered the linchpin to college-prep mathematics. Now, more than half do. Opinoin (Los Angeles Times, 7/9/08)
Back to Algebra I Testing Requirement Web page.
