REVISED 01/25/2012

Algebra One

Policy: CWCS’s graduation requirements for Math include Algebra One and one math course other than Algebra. Our students can meet the Algebra requirement with regular or basic courses. Please keep in mind that if a student takes a basic course to meet this requirement, the basic course may not prepare them for the CAHSEE. With a basic Algebra One course, the student may also need test prep. materials to help him/her prepare for the CAHSEE. Here's a link to curriculum suggestions for Algebra 1.

Special Education Students: On 11/16/2004, CDE ruled that a school may not request a waiver from the state law requiring every student who receives a high school diploma in California to have passed an Algebra 1 course. This directive includes those students with IEPs. They also stated that schools and school boards may not waive this state law. Please be sure that all of your special ed families understand that they are not exempt from the Algebra I graduation requirement, and that waivers are not a possibility.

Seventh and Eighth Graders: Students who take Algebra 1 in seventh or eighth grade, and pass with proficiency (on STAR or math readiness test), may use that course to meet the Algebra graduation requirement, but they must take two math courses at a higher level than Algebra in order to meet our 20 credit math requirement. These students are expected to complete at least Geometry and Algebra 2, and should be encouraged to continue taking higher math courses such as PreCalculus, Calculus, and Statistics. Consumer Math is NOT appropriate for these advanced math students. The Algebra course taken in Jr. High counts for the Algebra graduation requirement, but not towards the 20 credit math requirement. The ES should call the course “Algebra I” in the student’s learning record and on the K-8 Report Card. A K-8 report card needs to be created in FRED with the Algebra I course title for math, but does not have to be printed for the parent if they have indicated a desire to not have one on their Student Agreement. The “requirements met” box on the transcript does not have to be marked for our continuing students; this is needed only for those coming to CW from other schools.
If a student claims to have taken Algebra 1 in either 7th or 8th grade, the parent will need to fax a copy of the transcript or report card to Placerville (Fax 530-295-3583). The ES should email studentrecords@ieminc.org to notify the office that documentation for the student will be faxed. Once the transcript or report card is received, the Placerville Office will verify that the course fulfills the algebra requirement and mark it on the transcript. If the course does not fulfill the algebra requirement, the ES will be notified. (If a student took Algebra I in 7th or 8th grade, and then proceeds to pass Algebra II in high school, the Algebra II course can be used to meet the Algebra requirement for graduation without having to get verification of Algebra I from their 7th or 8th grade year.) For more information, see Assigning Credits to Students Under Typical High School Age.

High School Transfers: Some students may transfer into our school with varying Algebra course titles on their transcripts: i.e. Algebra A and Algebra B, Algebra Essentials 1-6, etc. If the Algebra they have taken equals 1/2 of the Algebra I requirement, then the student must complete another 5 credits, Algebra IB, even if the previous courses totaled 10+ credits. (Sometimes the previous school's course summary will indicate if the Algebra requirement has been met.) Various high schools break up the required Algebra I course in a variety of ways. If you receive a student with a transcript that is unusual, please contact your advisor for assistance in determining whether the Algebra I requirement has been met.

For Example: If the student has transferred from a school that has assigned 10 credits of Algebra A and 10 credits of Algebra B, this school may have an extended two year Algebra program. These 20 credits would count as 10 credits Math Elective, and 10 credits Algebra 1A/1B.

If only a portion of the credits have been earned at the previous school, the ES should contact their advisor to help determine how many credits the student still needs to complete to meet the Algebra requirement.

If a school assigns Algebra Essentials 1-6, (this is specifically for Modesto City Schools) Alg Essen 1,2 is equivalent to Pre-Algebra for 10 credits, Alg Essen 3,4 is equivalent to Alg 1A for 5 credits and 5 credits of math elective , and Alg Essen 5,6 is equivalent to Alg 1B for 5 credits and 5 credits of math elective. Alg. Essentials 5-6 is equivalent to Algebra 1Aand 1B, and we would have to assign additional coursework accordingly unless the student had completed all 6 courses. If the student had only completed Algebra Essentials 1-4, then they would still need Algebra 1B for 5 credits, or if only 1-5, then they'd need an additional 2.5 units of Algebra 1B.

(If the parent thinks the course was the equivalent of the required Algebra 1 course, and the ES is unsure, the ES will need to contact their ES Advisor or Mary Halter for clarification.)

For a listing of standards to be covered in a high school Algebra course, see http://www.cde.ca.gov/be/st/ss/mthalgebra1.asp

For a description of several (work in progress) Algebra Vendors, with the level of courses that they offer, whether or not they are standards aligned, and the number of credits per course, see "Algebra Research."