On July 9, 2008, the State Board of Education (SBE) voted to implement Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s proposal to require all eighth grade students to be assessed in Algebra I within three years.
The information collected below contains information relating to the requirement, correspondence, press releases, SBE information, comments from local educational agencies, and California Department of Education (CDE) resources, which includes links to the current California Mathematics Frameworks, etc.
“…I have serious concerns with this proposal on its merits. I strongly disagree with the Governor’s proposal to require all eighth graders to take algebra within three years without also offering any of the support for our school districts and schools to successfully make this major change.”
- Jack O’Connell, State Superintendent of Public Instruction
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell's remarks (WMV; 15:55) before the SBE on July 9, 2008, regarding eighth grade algebra testing requirement. Transcript of State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell's remarks.
Correspondence | Press Releases | News Articles | Reports | Comments from Stakeholders | SBE Agenda Items | Curriculum Resources |Testing Resource
Correspondence
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell and SBE President Theodore R. Mitchell Letter
December 18, 2008: Joint letter to the United States Department of Education from the California Department of Education and the State Board of Education regarding the approval of California Assessment system.
United States Department of Education, Kerri L. Briggs, Ph.D. Letter | PDF (120KB; 2pp.)
November 21, 2008: Letter to The Honorable Theodore R. Mitchell President California State Board of Education and The Honorable Jack O'Connell Superintendent of Public Instruction California Department of Education requiring all 8th-graders to take an assessment that is aligned with Algebra I content standards.
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell Letter
July 8, 2008: Letter to County and District Superintendents, and Charter School Administrators regarding my recommendation to replace the current eighth grade General Mathematics test with a more rigorous assessment based on Algebra standards.
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger Letter (PDF; Outside Source)
July 8, 2008: Letter to the State Board of Education (SBE) urging board members to adopt a requirement that every California 8th grader be enrolled and tested in Algebra I within three years.
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Press Releases
State Schools Chief Jack O'Connell Comments on Algebra I Tentative Ruling
News Release #188 - December 19, 2008
Schools Chief Jack O'Connell Urges Californians to Support Schools by Voting for Local School Bond Measures
News Release #152 - November 3, 2008
Schools Chief Jack O'Connell Comments on Temporary Restraining Order Granted in Algebra I Litigation
News Release #150 - October 28, 2008
The California Algebra I Success Initiative: A Comprehensive Plan to Help Schools Prepare All Students for Success in Algebra I in Eighth Grade
News Release #108 - August 12, 2008
Schools Chief Jack O'Connell Issues Statement Following State Board of Education Vote Mandating Algebra for Eighth Graders - News Release #92 - July 9, 2008
News Articles
Fixing state's algebra tests (Outside Source)
We give a Sacramento County judge high marks for granting an injunction Friday that blocks a plan requiring all California eighth-graders to be tested in algebra. The state Board of Education mandated the change, on an 8-1 vote, in July after a forceful push from Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. At the time, the state was under pressure from federal officials, who said the state's existing math test violated the No Child Left Behind Act because it tested sixth- and seventh-grade math, but was given in the eighth grade. Editorial (Ventura County Star, 12/20/08)
8th-Grade Algebra Requirement in California Gets Sidelined (Outside Source)
In Washington, everyone applauds a governor who wants to raise academic standards for all students. Back in his or her home state, a governor who proposes to do just that can get sued. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger learned this lesson not long ago when his plan to require algebra testing for all eighth graders angered the state's school superintendent and some education groups. Two organizations representing school board members and administrators filed a lawsuit to overturn the requirement, and now a judge has temporarily put the brakes on the governor's plan, the Associated Press reports. The judge in the case said the state education board that adopted the algebra mandate acted outside its authority and without public input. Eddy Ramírez (U.S. News and World Report, 12/29/08)
Algebra I mandate blocked by courts (Outside Source)
A Sacramento County judge Friday blocked a plan calling for all California eighth-graders to be tested in algebra, much to the delight of parents, students and educators. Judge Shelleyanne Chang said the board acted outside its jurisdiction and without public input. She added in her ruling that plaintiffs would likely win if a trial of the lawsuit goes forward. The mandate would make California the first state in the nation to require algebra instruction at such an early level. The Schwarzenegger-appointed Board of Education adopted it in an effort to meet federal testing requirements or face losing up to $4.1 million in funding. Lacey Peterson (The Union Democrat, 12/22/08)
Additional News Articles
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Reports
The Misplaced Math Student: Lost in Eighth-Grade Algebra (PDF; 16pp.; Outside Source) Brown Center on Education Policy (September 2008)
California’s Approach to Math Instruction Still Doesn’t Add Up: Impending Retirements + Chronic Math Teacher Shortages = Deepening Concerns for California’s Middle and High Schools (Outside Source) The Center for Future Teaching and Learning (July 2008)
Using Standardized Test Data as Guidance for Placement into 8th Grade Algebra (PDF; 10pp.; Outside Source) By Shelley Kriegler and Theresa Lee, University of California, Los Angeles, Department of Mathematics
Comments from Stakeholders
“More than half of our students come to us in the sixth grade Below Basic or Far Below Basic in Math. Very few of those students are prepared to succeed in Algebra I at the eighth grade level. So being forced to place all students in that class, without regard to their level of preparation, would lead to an increase in the number of students who both fail eighth grade Algebra I and are not ready to succeed in Algebra I in the ninth grade either.”
- Steven Weinberg, Instructional Facilitator, Frick Middle School
“It is intellectually dishonest for the state to ask students to be tested on academic content that they have not studied. The proposed mandate runs counter to all principles of sound policy in education.”
- Kathy Woods, President, California Mathematics Council
“Experience has told us that not all students are ready to take Algebra at the same time, and a one-size-fits-all approach unfairly punishes students, often those who need our help the most.”
- Christopher J. Steinhauser, Long Beach Unified School District Superintendent
“Algebra I is the toughest course on a middle school campus. While many students succeed at Algebra I during their 7th and 8th grade school years, this is not the case for all students. Just as we differentiate learning, in general, for all students, we should do the same for Algebra I.”
- Kip Meyer, Assistant Superintendent for Personnel Services, Lake Elsinore Unified School District
“It is an unrealistic expectation that ALL be successful as 8th grade algebra students.”
- Jeanie Cash, Assistant Superintendent, Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District
“It is not a matter of the quality of instruction, or school’s giving in to low standards, or lack of accountability of teachers, schools and the instruction by former grade levels, because some 8th grade students are just not developmentally ready to learn Algebra I. Anyone who doubts this just needs to teach an 8th algebra class to the struggling math students for a day or two.”
- Dale Lofgren, Director of Pupil Services, El Segundo Unified School District
“Some students are ready for Algebra 1 by eighth grade, but my experience is only about 5-10% of the students truly are ready and they struggle a little as well. We can still accommodate that placement without punishing the rest of the students (and the schools).”
- John Pendley, Superintendent, Columbia Unified School District
“Developmentally, many students are not ready to successfully take on the Algebra I curriculum.”
- Jeff Hearn, Superintendent, Santa Maria Joint Union High School District
“At the present time, many thousands of students are already enrolled prematurely in Algebra I and the failure rate is horrendous. The Governor’s plan would make this situation even worse.”
- Dan Fendel, Professor of Mathematics (emeritus), San Francisco State University
“There are far too many young people who are not mature enough to grasp the abstract concepts in Algebra I as 8th graders. To require them to take a course that may set them up for failure does these youngsters no good and makes both our teachers and our state look like they are failing our students.”
- Janet Knoeppel, Retired Principal, Argus High School
“There's a big void at the middle-school level. We have a lot of students who take Algebra I in the eighth grade, and then they repeat it in ninth grade. A lot of students aren't ready for that level of math.”
- Stephen McCahon, Math Teacher, Pioneer High School
“You need to lay the groundwork if you're going to make this kind of policy shift. We need to invest in the teaching of mathematics at the lower grade levels.”
- Chuck Weis, Santa Clara County Schools Chief
State Board of Education Agenda Items
Below you will find links to the SBE agendas regarding the General Mathematics Blueprint.
Note: The July Item 10 motion to approve the SBE Action details the Algebra I testing requirement.
July | July Item 10 Motion | June | May | March | March Item 20 Motion
July
Standardized Testing and Reporting Program (STAR): “Revised General Mathematics Blueprint” - Item 10 (DOC; 81KB; 5pp.)
Note: This item was tabled by the board at the June 2008 State Board meeting. Item attachments can be assessed via the link below:
June 2008 Agenda Item 4 and Attachments
June
Standardized Testing and Reporting Program (STAR): “Revised General Mathematics Blueprint - Item 4 (DOC; 71KB; 4pp.)
Item 4 Attachment 1 (PDF; 648KB; 2pp.)
Accessible Alternative Version of Item 4 Attachment 1
Item 4 Attachment 2 (DOC; 60KB; 2pp.)
Item 4 Attachment 3 (PDF; 54KB; 4pp.)
Item 4 Attachment 4 (PDF; 293KB; 2pp.)
Item 4 Attachment 5 (DOC; 54KB; 1p.)
Item 4 Attachment 6 (DOC; 53KB; 7pp.)
Item 4 Attachment 7 (DOC; 36KB; 1pp.)
Item 4 Addendum (DOC; 44KB; 1p.)
Item 4 Addendum Attachment 1 (DOC; 28KB; 1p.)
May
U.S. Department of Education Peer Review of Standards and Assessment: Update of Peer Review Result - Item 5 (DOC; 66KB; 2pp.)
Standardized Testing and Reporting Program (STAR): Revised General Mathematics Blueprint - Item 9 (DOC; 57KB; 1p.)
Item 9 Attachment 1 (PDF; 57KB; 1p.)
March
U.S. Department of Education Peer Review of Standards and Assessment: Update of Peer Review Results - Item 20 (DOC; 74KB; 4pp.)
Item 20 Attachment 1 (DOC; 39KB; 3pp.)
Item 20 Attachment 2 (PDF; 1MB; 3pp.)
Item 20 Attachment 3 (DOC; 63KB; 2pp.)
Item 20 Attachment 4 (DOC; 38KB; 2pp.)
March Item 20 Motion - Scroll to Item 20
Curriculum Resources
Mathematics Framework for California Public Schools Kindergarten through Grade Twelve
2007 Mathematics Primary Adoption - includes Algebra Readiness Programs.
Testing Resource
Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) - Program Resources
