June 2nd, 2009
Sometimes parents wonder what kinds of math activities are good for summer. For upper elementary and middle grades kids don’t forget about the critical foundations of algebra. These are the three clusters of essential skills necessary for success in algebra and beyond. Students need to have a strong understanding of the concepts, be able to compute accurately with them, and be able to apply them to problem solving. Automatic recall of number facts is also vitally important. The concepts, computation, problem solving, and recall of facts are mutually supportive of one another. Here is a list of the critical foundations of algebra:
¬ Whole numbers
¬ Fractions and decimals, including percents including integers and positive and negative fractions and decimals
¬ Some aspects of measurement and geometry
Have your kids mastered these skills? With a strong background in these areas, students will be ready for algebra and beyond.
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March 18th, 2009
Success in math is vital for students in lower income families. It has been proven that low income students—including minorities- who acquire strong math skills by the 8th grade are 10 times more likely to finish college than kids of the same background that don’t have these strong math skills.
That is an amazingly strong statistic. Steps need to be taken to provide these kids with the skills to be successful in algebra and beyond. Remember, Algebra is the gateway to more advanced math, science, and technology classes that will lead to graduating from college and having access to the best 21st century careers.
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March 12th, 2009
The National Mathematics Advisory Panel see Algebra as a central concern. The sharp falloff in math achievement in the U.S. begins as students reach late middle school, where for many students algebra course work begins. And with poor foundational skills, more and more students are failing Algebra.
It must be kept in mind that Algebra is the gateway to later achievement. Success in Algebra allows kids to take more advanced math, science, and technology classes which lead to college and the best job opportunities.
Amazingly, students who complete Algebra II are more than twice as likely to graduate from college compared to students with less mathematical preparation.
We need to have students who are algebra-ready! Our kids’ futures are at stake.
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March 8th, 2009
According to our National Mathematics Advisory Panel, “Our math education system is broken and must be fixed.” Our kid’s math skills pale next to those in so many other industrialized nations. In a recent international assessment we ranked #28 out of 40 nations. For the majority of the 21st century the United States led the world in mathematical prowess. That meant we had the best Engineers, the best Scientists, the best Inventors. That’s no longer true.
Nationally, only 3 out of every 10 of our students in grade eight are proficient in math, and by grade twelve, only 2 out of 10 are proficient. This is pathetic. To keep America competitive in the 21st century, we must improve the way we teach math.
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Critical foundations of algebra.