If the student was motivated.
That's the key. I'm not here to defend the public schools, but, once upon a time, it was the responsibility of the child to get an education.
Algebra is challenging -- but not that tough if the prerequisites have been learned. A majority of the students in this school system probably passed Algebra. I don't lose sleep and I hate to lose more tax dollars fretting over the others.
Our entire country, including the education system, is being geared toward the failures. I mean, just look at the last election results.
They don't know fractions and under NCLB you have to keep marching forward regardless.