Connecticut Algebra One for All Top Ten List About Learning Algebra

Parents Must be Involved “Children achieve greater success as learners when parents play an active role, regardless of socioeconomic status, ethnic/racial background, or the parents’ own level of education.” “The more intensely parents are involved, the more confident and engaged their children are as learners and the more beneficial the effects on their achievement.”

Questions Every Parent Should Ask The Top Ten List We’re not talking about your grandmothers’ algebra

Question One What is algebra? Algebra is the abstract study of the operations of arithmetic: such as, addition, subtraction, multiplication, etc. Algebra is thelanguage of mathematics; the language of opportunity in the 21st Century Algebra develops students’ thinking skills; specifically logic, patterns, problem solving, and reasoning Algebra helps students picture complicated concepts and relationships

Question Two Why should my child take mathematics beyond arithmetic; I did and never use it? Don’t kid yourself Mathematics is a language – algebra is equivalent to “verb conjugations” in foreign language Nearly 80% of U.S. job opening in next ten years will require some type of post-secondary education or training, which requires at least algebra as a precondition to enrollment

Algebra Pays….. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Earning for workers 25 and older, by education attainment for median weekly earnings in Professional Degree $1,923 = $100,000/yr Doctoral Degree $1,527 = $79,400/yr Master’s Degree $1,179 = $61,300/yr Bachelor’s Degree $ 979 = $50,900/yr Associate Degree $ 781 = $40,600/yr Some college $ 714 = $37,100/yr High school graduate $ 606 = $31,500/yr Less than HS diploma $ 450 = $23,400/yr

Great Careers Require More Education Data from CT Department of Labor CT Careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Report - August 2008 STEM refers to science, technology, engineering and mathematics

Question Three Why is it important for my child to take algebra in middle and/or high school? Algebra I is “gateway” course Much higher rates of college attendance. At-risk students who take algebra and geometry are three times more likely to attend college Connection to civil rights; Algebra means access to careers Girls with home encouragement (dads) do better in math than those who are not supported

Question Four How can I be sure that my child is ready for algebra? Students need to have key “readiness” skills: need to know how to convert fractions to decimals and percentages; need basic understanding of graphs; and need to solve multi-step problems. Talk with your child’s teachers about progress in classroom work and the CT Mastery Tests Parents are child’s best and strongest advocate

Question Five My child struggles now with school, maybe he/she isn’t smart enough for algebra? All children can learn algebra All children can learn algebra! Jaime Escalante, attracted national attention with his spectacular success teaching mathematics to students who had been considered "unteachable" Key to success with struggling youngsters: hard work, and lots of it, for teacher and student alike Student achievement rises or falls to the level of the expectations, especially from their parents and their teachers

Question Six Can algebra help my child in subjects other than math? Algebra helps students to organize their thinking, and to craft reasonable responses when confronted with changing situations Many higher-level high school mathematics, science, economics, technology and social studies classes require algebra to fully understand the subjects

Question Seven My child doesn’t want to go to college so why should he or she take algebra? Problem-solving and critical-thinking skills can help students even if they do not go to college or pursue a math- or science- related career Many trade apprenticeships require at least Algebra I to enter the program Military services require a passing score on math test that includes algebra to enlist

Question Eight Why did the CT State Department of Education (CSDE) develop the CT Algebra One for All Course? Wants to make secondary education and high school graduation more engaging and relevant Typical Algebra I course - a “mile wide and an inch deep”. The courses focus far more on a disconnected set of skills and procedures than on the deep understanding of a few key big ideas and how they are used in real life and in more challenging mathematics and science courses Many existing Algebra I courses remain mired in the past, are taught with limited use of technology and serve far too few students with learning activities that are based on actual life examples

Question Nine How is the CT Algebra One for All different from the Algebra I course our school district may offer now? Rich in learning tools and technology Provides learning built around real-world contexts, situations and problems Emphasizes depth of understanding rather than breadth of material Provides both individual and group experiences with activities for students who need more help and time on a task and more advanced study for students who are ready to move on

Question Ten…Just the Beginning Schools and teachers are responsible for educating my children, what role do I have? According to President Obama, “America cannot succeed unless our students take responsibility for their own education … and responsibility for our children’s education must begin at home.”

The Top Ten What is algebra? Why should my child take mathematics beyond arithmetic? Why is it important for my child to take algebra in middle/high school? How can I be sure that my child is ready for algebra? My child struggles now with school, maybe he/she isn’t smart enough? Can algebra help my child in subjects other than mathematics? My child doesn’t want to go to college so why should he/she take algebra? Why did the State Dept of Ed develop the CT Algebra One for All? How is the CT Algebra One for All course different for my child’s course? What role do I have?