Algebra recommendation elicits educators’ outcry

California's Board of Education voted this week to require all eighth-graders to be tested in algebra, acting upon a recommendation by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

And a storm of feedback ensued around state schools. Schwarzenegger issued a letter asking for the mandate the night before the state Board of Education meeting.

The board had been scheduled to consider adopting a new eighth-grade math test proposed by Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell. Instead, eight of the board's 11 members -- two were absent from the meeting, one voted no -- voted yes to adopting Schwarzenegger's recommendation.

O'Connell hosted a news teleconference following the board meeting, at which he said he feared the decision was setting students up for failure. He added that the decision "NCLB-ized" the algebra requirement, by prescribing a "one size fits all" curriculum.

John Stankovich, Kings County superintendent of public instruction, responded to the decision, agreeing with O'Connell and the lone board member that voted against the motion, Jim Aschwanden. Aschwanden said that not all children are developmentally ready to take algebra in the eighth grade.

Stankovich emphasized the point that many educators and politicians agreed on after the decision was made: it could cost billions to enable all eighth-graders to succeed in Algebra I.

"I'm not sure how the state will fund that, considering the current financial picture," Stankovich said.

O'Connell said during the teleconference that schools in the state have three years to fully implement the requirement.

O'Connell said he would have supported the requirement when resources were forthcoming, such as professional development for teachers, intervention programs, more math teachers and remediation programs.

"I'm very distressed and more than disappointed that the State Board of Education has voted to implement Gov. Schwarzenegger's proposal regarding eighth-grade algebra that would severely impact students and schools without any discussion beforehand with educators in the field and with completely inadequate public notice," O'Connell said. "The Board has been publicly considering a solution for alignment of an eighth-grade mathematics test for more than three months. During that time, the governor had ample time to communicate an opinion that we would have been able to notice, consider, discuss, and debate in open forum. Instead, he chose to remain silent until the 11th hour."

O'Connell added that he believed that with enough support, all eighth-grade students could succeed in Algebra I.

"One leading urban superintendent I respect, for example, told me he thought he could come close to meeting the expectation to prepare all eighth-grade students to take Algebra 1, but only if he were allowed to waive history or science in the lower grades so as to give him more time to teach math," O'Connell said. "Are we willing to offer that flexibility? Is that a good idea?"

"If we are going to put this new expectation on our schools, we need to put appropriate resources into place. Otherwise, let's be honest: we're just setting our schools up for failure. We need to ensure subject matter expertise at every grade level. By forcing this mandate on schools without first guaranteeing resources or a plan for implementation, the governor has gambled the education of thousands of school children; I pray the kids win."

Other local educators weighed in.

Jim Shaver, county education director of curriculum and instruction, said the decision was "misguided."

"Schools will be forced to force students into algebra," Shaver said. "I think that Jack O'Connell gave good advice. The resources are not there to put this into place and the kids just aren't ready."

Diane Cox, superintendent of Pioneer Union School District, said the state was setting up some students for "a lack of success" with this mandate.

"To mandate that all eighth-graders take and pass Algebra I is a very unreal expectation and a serious setback in meeting the needs of all of our students and preparing them for success in high school and beyond," said Cox. "Not all students are ready or prepared by eighth grade for the concepts and application of algebra. To have the bar for expectations set high is important for all students -- however, when you look at the states with the highest proficiency levels in high school students, you will find that Algebra I is not required in eighth grade -- they begin in ninth grade when students have had their middle school years to prepare for it."

Rich Merlo, superintendent of Corcoran Unified School District, said he had mixed views on the decision.

"I think it's a good idea that we have high standards and I believe in them," Merlo said. "At the same time I want to make sure that standards aren't just out there without the resources."

Merlo said about 25 percent of Corcoran's eighth-grade students annually enroll in Algebra I. The remainder wait until high school. Statewide, about 49 percent of eighth graders take Algebra I.

The reporter can be reached at 583-2424.