Jr. High
Pre-Algebra is offered to Liberty Christian 8th grade students for specific reasons. Consider the following when choosing a school for its academic excellence…
“Many policymakers and educators have argued that enrolling students in algebra early increases their odds of moving on to more advanced math and succeeding in college…” (Education Week, September 24, 2008). But are these so called Algebra I classes offering true algebra content?
Studies reveal that “states and districts have allowed for a proliferation of different kinds of algebra courses, without regard for their content…”(Jeremy Kilpatrick, professor of mathematics at the University of Georgia.)
How has enrolling 8th graders in Algebra I classes proved to be successful?
The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) which is often referred to as “the nation’s report card” did not show favorable results for 8th graders who were enrolled in Algebra I. “The results showed a disconnect between the lofty goal of enrolling as many students as possible in introductory algebra in grade 8 and student performance…”
“Thirty one percent of 8th graders nationally were enrolled in algebra last year…” twice the number of those taking it in 1990. But the test results do not show that this is a good thing as “(m)any of the states with the highest percentages of student enrolled in 8th grade algebra have the lowest average math scores in that grade on the 2007 NAEP…while the opposite plays out in other states.”
“In California…almost 60 percent of the students reported taking Algebra I or another advanced course as 8th graders, but, the state had one of the country’s lowest average scores, 270.”
What do the experts recommend we do for our nation’s students?
In a report by the National Mathematics Advisory Panel, Tom Loveness of the Washington-based Brookings Institute, “favors having schools concentrate on building necessary skills in elementary math, particularly whole numbers and fractions.”
At Liberty Christian Schools we incorporate proven educational standards of teaching with a biblical foundation. Our students are not just prepared for college, but for life.