Public Comment by Gretchen Muller at ACSC meeting 7/7/10

12 years ago California started an ambitous project - common standards
and the goal of Algebra for all in 8th grade, but over the years we
have learned and experienced the shortcomings of our state standards
especially in mathematics - too many standards, lack of focus and
coherence, and the lack of 8th grade standards. The common core
standards improves the CA standards by addressing all of these issues,
particularly the lack of 8th grade standards.

From my experience as a middle school math teacher and a project
coordinator working with several districts on curriculum and
instruction issues, the lack of 8th grade standards other than Algebra
has had negative consequences for both districts and students.
Districts that test students in a course such as a two year algebra
course or algebra readiness, considered below grade level by the
federal government are penalized on their API score. Many districts,
to avoid this penalty, place all 8th grade students in Algebra whether
they are ready or not. The students who are not ready are being set up
for failure by the people who are trying to ensure their success. I
have looked in the eyes of these students and feel helpless that I
can't put them in an appropriate course. We cannot in good conscious
continue this practice. We need to be able to offer choices so that we
can place students in the best possible position for success.

Everyone agrees that successful completion of Algebra1 and Algebra 2
are important, but everyone learns at different rates. Math is the
only subject that has a sequential layering of topics. There are
learning progressions. If along the way a student starts to become
lost or to develop gaps in their understanding, it becomes very
difficult to correct misunderstandings and fill the gaps if we are in
a hurry to have all students ready for Algebra in 8th grade. Wouldn't
it be much better to allow these students the time to learn the
mathematics and enjoy mathematics rather than pushing them through a
system that doesn't care about their learning and success. Students
who are successful in learning the K-7 mathematics CCSS standards can
still take Algebra in 8th grade. Even Achieve in a document on their
website states: "While the CCSS were not specifically develop with the
goal of preparing students for Algebra 1 in grade 8, students wh are
successful in achieving the expectations set in these standards for
grades K-7 should have the content knowledge to be well prepared for
Algebra 1, or its equivalent, in grade 8", but by having a set of 8th
grade standards where those students who need more time to learn the
foundational skills for succes in Algebra 1 and Algebra 2 and other
higher levels of mathematics we can meet the needs of all of our
students. Isn't that after all the goal? Success for all.