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Article: Should there be an eighth-grade algebra requirement?
- Article from:
- American Teacher
- Article date:
- December 1, 2008
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright American Federation of Teachers Dec 2008/Jan 2009. Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
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YES
Give all students the opportunity to excel
BY GARY D. ASKINS
IN A LETTER accompanying the U.S. Education Department's Mathematics Equals Opportunity white paper, former education secretary Richard Riley said, "The key to understanding mathematics is taking algebra or courses covering algebraic concepts by the end of eighth grade." This was a call for national action. The best way to help American students meet the challenges of the 21st century is to ensure that they leave high school with the skills and knowledge necessary for college, work and citizenship.
Available indicators demonstrate that America's youth (especially children in poverty and minority students) are unprepared for ...