The Single Most Important Course in School
In Florida, Algebra I is the single most important course any student will take in school. Here are some the reasons:
EOC – For public school students, passing the Algebra I End of Course exam is a graduation requirement. The only other “must pass” test is the Florida Standards Assessment (FSA) English Language test. FSA skills are built in to more courses (Language Arts and Reading in middle school, English and Social Studies in high school for sure) than Algebra I skills are (though previous math courses are obviously important).
Placement – Our brightest students take Algebra I in middle school. Most take the course in eighth grade. Some students take Algebra I in seventh grade. Florida middle schools can “accelerate” (school grading term) by having their students pass the Algebra I EOC in middle school. This is very motivating to the school. You will often find the best math teachers in middle schools handling this important assignment.
Naturally, some students aren’t ready for Algebra I in 8th grade. Some try it, but don’t pass the Algebra I EOC. These students re-take Algebra I in 9th grade. Some of the students who weren’t ready in 8th grade are math-phobic or, at least, lacking in some fundamental skills. Some haven’t experienced much success in school thus far. Teaching Algebra I in high school is a difficult assignment. The middle school Algebra I students had a very good teacher in a class full of motivated students. High school Algebra I students often get a newer teacher who tries to mix in some math with some classroom management strategies.
The students who were successful in Algebra I in eighth grade (good grade and passing the EOC) have a tremendous advantage moving forward. They have one high school credit and they have met a high school graduation requirement before starting high school. Struggling math students who take Algebra I in high school sometimes don’t pass the EOC until their Junior or Senior year (and in some extreme cases, not at all). No other single course matters so much.
Algebra never goes away – It is not uncommon for excellent students to struggle on the math portion of the ACT or SAT. This is partly because these students haven’t wrestled with elementary algebra in a long time. Algebra is certainly tested on the ACT or SAT. It is also tested on graduate level tests like the GRE. During their freshman year of college, some students take College Algebra. Learn Algebra well as it will never go away.
Many parents don’t like Algebra much either – At some point for almost all parents, your child reaches a point where you aren’t much help on homework in some subject. Algebra is that point for many parents. If your child can’t turn to you for help, where will they turn?
There is help. Almost every school has an after school tutoring program. Students don’t go there often for help in English, Science, Social Studies, or Foreign Language. They do go there for help with math (the courses that follow Algebra I are challenging too). Khan Academy is an amazing resource for math help online (short videos and practice problems). In Florida, Algebra Nation is also an online resource. Students can take or re-take Algebra I for free through Florida Virtual School.
If you are only going to hire a tutor in only one course for your child, Algebra I is that course. Show me a middle school or high school with good Algebra I EOC data and you have likely shown me a good school overall (there are “A” schools with unimpressive Algebra I EOC data). Algebra I is a big deal for students in Florida.
If your son or daughter isn’t earning an A or high B in Algebra I right now, get help. Naturally, Student First Education can help. Contact us if your child needs help in math or if you need advice on any school issues, ACT prep, or the college process.