Middle schools try radically different algebra strategies

03-30-2010

By Fermin Leal/Orange County Register

At C.E. Utt Middle School in Tustin, no course is more important than algebra. "We do everything we can to prepare students for algebra," said Utt Principal Cristine Matos. "We have interventions, extra tutoring and a host of other resources available." That focus has helped the Tustin Unified school soar to the top for algebra achievement. Ninety percent of Utt's eighth-graders took the class and 60 percent of them scored proficient or above on the state's 2009 algebra test. The result: 57 percent of all Utt's school's eighth-graders know their algebra, which educators see as a gateway to critical thinking, higher math and science courses and a necessary first step on the path to college. But, more often, high enrollments also result in high failure rates. (more...)

Document Actions

Print this

Personal tools

Sections

Middle schools try radically different algebra strategies

Document Actions