New guide helps ID students prepare for Algebra I

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This NWEA press release originally appeared online.

GET ITa K-12 research and evaluation organization, has announced new guide for schools to support them in more equitably identifying students who may be ready for Algebra 1.

While Algebra 1 is a requirement for high school graduation in most states, it is also a gateway to more advanced mathematics courses, and passing the course is It is often used as a predictor. of future college success and career preparation.

Determining readiness for Algebra 1 can be complex. Common placement decisions may depend on subjective methods, such as recommendations from teachers or students completing a grade level. Students may be misidentified (meaning they are not ready) or may not be identified at all if the placement approach unintentionally excludes potentially ready students. This new guide is designed to help navigate these complexities by emphasizing the importance of a universally administered readiness indicator as a starting point in the decision process.

“Whether students turn 13 or 14 is not an automatic marker that they are ready to take Algebra 1. We know that in any classroom, the academic variations present can span multiple grade levels.” said Dr. Scott Peters, guideline author and director of research consulting partnerships at NWEA.

“This guide offers an objective start to help educators make placement decisions beyond a student's grades or grade level completed. “It also opens the door to traditionally underrepresented students who are often overlooked in higher-level math courses because those placement decisions do not include something like a universally administered readiness indicator up front.”

The new guide focuses on how districts using MAP Growth, a widely used interim assessment developed by NWEA, can leverage their data to help identify students who could potentially be ready for Algebra 1. The research behind the guide looked at what score on MAP Growth The 6+ math test predicts that students will score proficient on an Algebra 1 end-of-course state exam or will be successful in an Algebra 1 course.

The guide also provides considerations and placement approaches for schools based on their goal for Algebra 1, whether it be increasing demographic representation, greater success in the course, or providing more students the opportunity to take the course.

Laura Ascione is the editorial director of eSchool Media. She graduated from the prestigious Philip Merrill School of Journalism at the University of Maryland.

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