New law provides flexibility and guidance for districts confused about algebra
Published: October 3, 2012
CSBA joined other California education leaders in support of a new law that provides an alternate curricular path for students who are not ready to take algebra in the eighth grade, and which represents a major step toward aligning state math standards with the Common Core State Standards.
Two years ago, the State Board of Education adopted the Common Core standards in English language arts and math, but the panel—appointed by then-Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger—also inserted dozens of California mathematics standards, including a requirement that most California students take Algebra I in eighth grade. Since it was adopted as state policy in 2008, that controversial requirement has directed many students into advanced courses before they were ready for the more demanding curriculum. Critics said that inserting California’s algebra mandate and other state-specific requirements into the Common Core—designed to be a “common” curriculum for the more than 40 states that have adopted it—was cumbersome and confusing.
CSBA Legislative Advocate Erika Hoffman said Senate Bill 1200—signed into law Sept. 27—will untangle the curricular mess that resulted from including the eighth-grade algebra mandate in California’s version of the Common Core.
“SB 1200 will help ensure that the standards adopted by the State Board of Education incorporate the career and college readiness standards into the current state standards for English language arts and mathematics,” she wrote in a letter urging Gov. Jerry Brown’s support for the bill. “Further, this bill will allow the SBE to address issues regarding the current eighth grade math standards and will ensure that we have one set of standards, including the components of Algebra. Currently, the two sets of standards are confusing for both teachers and parents and the increased costs for instructional materials will severely limit what districts will be able to purchase.”
Brown signed SB 1200 last week, prompting praise from Michael Kirst, president of the State Board of Education since 2011.
“This law allows California to clarify the Grade 8 math standards to provide two viable pathways – one for students who are ready for Algebra and one for students who will benefit from pre-Algebra content and be prepared to take Algebra in high school,” Kirst said in a prepared statement.
The State Board president stressed that there is nothing in the law that precludes students from taking algebra as eight-graders. “Placement of students in math courses, based on their readiness, is still a local decision and should remain as such,” he said. “The decision of when a student is ready for higher mathematics must be based upon his/her classroom performance and not impersonal directives from Sacramento.”
CSBA Senior Director for Policy and Programs Teri Burns said the new law is a win-win for California students and districts.
“It is particularly helpful that the state align our state standards and the Common Core standards for all subjects,” she said. “It is important for students that California have a coherent and logical set of educational standards on which they will soon be measured.”
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“Cracking the code: Why, how and when should students learn algebra?”; Kristi Garrett, California Schools magazine, Spring 2009