Posted on 05/10/2004 7:37:12 AM PDT by Sub-Driver
Algebra I may not be required for graduation Sunday, May 9, 2004
By HEATHER OSBORN Register Staff Writer
Nearly 80 high school seniors in Napa may receive their diplomas without passing Algebra I, a new graduation requirement that the state board of education is now hesitating to enforce due to concerns that hundreds of students would not graduate on time.
Across the state, school districts have applied for waivers that would allow more than 12,700 seniors to graduate in 2004 even if they fail Algebra I. Eight percent of seniors in Napa Valley Unified School District are on the waiver list, which the state board is expected to approve this week.
Advocates are calling on the education department to release the demographics of the students eligible for waivers, saying minorities and the poor have historically been under-represented in Algebra I classes, stunting their opportunities for the future.
In 2001, California lawmakers approved legislation requiring students to pass Algebra I in order to graduate, beginning in 2004. But this spring dozens of high schools said that it was too challenging for all students to meet the deadline.
More than 160 school districts in California -- nearly half of all districts with high schools -- are requesting the waivers.
"It's just very disheartening," said Russlyn Ali, the director of Education Trust-West, a nonprofit based in Oakland that promotes academic achievement for students from all backgrounds. "Regardless of the reason, one thing is clear: Waiver requests mean students haven't mastered the integral skills algebra teaches. And it is students themselves who suffer in the end."
Local educators agreed, but said their hands were tied.
"There was great concern that we were going back on our word," said Olive McArdle-Kulas, director of curriculum services for Napa Valley Unified School District. "But it became a legal issue. If the state was allowing it, how could Napa Valley Unified stand in the way of giving a student a high school diploma?"
To qualify for a waiver, each student had to be enrolled in Algebra I and educators had to actively encourage students to pass the class. The parents of juniors had to be reminded of the requirement, too.
Administrators said they were worried that publicity about the waivers would cause current seniors to slack off.
At Vintage, more than half of the students who qualified for a waiver have a disability that makes them eligible for the special education program, and several others have had discipline problems. At least two students have language barriers. Most of the students in question are not university-bound, said Jennifer Kohl, assistant principal.
"We try to teach everybody," said Wendy Jones, a math teacher at Vintage High School, which has 36 students eligible for a waiver. "It really comes down to the student." After-school tutoring is offered two days a week. Jones said she supports the waivers.
The impacts of not passing Algebra I are significant, critics say. Research by the economist Anthony Carnevale, vice president for public leadership at Educational Testing Service, has found that math skills are a clear indicator of economic success.
The options for students who haven't passed Algebra I are mostly limited to trade schools, community colleges or blue collar jobs, automatically excluding them from entering a four-year college or university right after graduating. University of California and California State University require students to pass Algebra II to be admitted.
But convincing some students to take math seriously is challenging, and even some teachers questioned if Algebra I skills are relevant for every student.
Many students, for example, are planning to attend a trade school or a community college, which only requires that students be 18 years old to be admitted.
"I'm not going to do a profession that needs it," said Jessica Stuart, 15, a sophomore at Napa High School. "I don't see the use in it." Stuart said she failed the class the first time she tried, but is planning to pass it the next time around. She would like to be a cosmetologist. She also said she would try to meet the UC and CSU math requirements in case she chooses to attend a university.
Some educators said the waivers are another example of the negative impact of changes being passed from Sacramento to schools. In July, the state board of education postponed the requirement that seniors pass the high school exit exam to graduate from 2004 to 2006.
The state offered the Algebra I waivers after a Santa Cruz high school said last fall it had not notified seniors of the new graduation requirement, and asked for waivers for certain students. State officials said the waivers would not be offered next year.
The Algebra I waivers were distributed among schools in Napa Valley Unified School District as follows: 36 at Vintage High School, 32 at Napa High School, two at Valley Oak High School and one at New Technology High School, according to the California Department of Education. Public schools in St. Helena and Calistoga did not apply for waivers.
Of course I dod not go to Public Schools. Hmmmm...maybe there is a connection.
I agree with you- I took Algebra I in seventh grade and in the school system I attended, the standard classes took it in ninth grade. Algebra I is basic high school math, and a diploma that does not reflect that the student has mastered the subject is invalid, IMO.
Algebra 1 even I could handle. It was always Geometry(PROOFS) and Trig that were really tough with me.
In other words she'll never need to know--I bought shampoo at a 25% discount and the register rang up $15, so the original price should have been $20, but the price sticker says $17 therefore the store has not applied the discount as advertised. I feel sorry for Jessica and her future clients!
...even some teachers questioned if Algebra I skills are relevant for every student.
"I'm not going to do a profession that needs it," said Jessica Stuart, 15, a sophomore at Napa High School. "I don't see the use in it."
What about Law School?
Duz that conexion extend to yoor speling skilz?
I wouldn't want someone to mutply MY recipe!!!
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