http://www.ibabuzz.com/tricitybeat/2008/10/29/eighth-graders-get-temporary-relief-from-algebra-requirement/ Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:52:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 http://www.ibabuzz.com/tricitybeat/2008/10/29/eighth-graders-get-temporary-relief-from-algebra-requirement/comment-page-1/#comment-2673 Jen Thu, 30 Oct 2008 19:38:53 +0000 http://www.ibabuzz.com/tricitybeat/?p=1793#comment-2673 It is my understanding (this was how it was explained by the head of the education/teaching program at CSUEB a couple years ago) that you need a different credential in order to teach single subjects in 7th and 8th grade, particularly for math and science. You can get a general credential that will allow you to teach K-6 or a single subject credential in math, science, etc. So when they say "double the number of Algebra I teachers" I think that's what they mean - more single subject teachers who specialize in math. I took calculus in high school before I got into college and even with a teaching credential I wouldn't feel comfortable teaching algebra. Maybe the trend leans more towards getting credentialed to teach K-6 rather than the older, more troublesome junior high and high schoolers... It is my understanding (this was how it was explained by the head of the education/teaching program at CSUEB a couple years ago) that you need a different credential in order to teach single subjects in 7th and 8th grade, particularly for math and science.
You can get a general credential that will allow you to teach K-6 or a single subject credential in math, science, etc. So when they say “double the number of Algebra I teachers” I think that’s what they mean – more single subject teachers who specialize in math.
I took calculus in high school before I got into college and even with a teaching credential I wouldn’t feel comfortable teaching algebra.
Maybe the trend leans more towards getting credentialed to teach K-6 rather than the older, more troublesome junior high and high schoolers…

]]> http://www.ibabuzz.com/tricitybeat/2008/10/29/eighth-graders-get-temporary-relief-from-algebra-requirement/comment-page-1/#comment-2672 American for Freedom Thu, 30 Oct 2008 16:52:00 +0000 http://www.ibabuzz.com/tricitybeat/?p=1793#comment-2672 My daughter took Algebra 1 in the 8th grade, it is already offered and was not a big deal. So why will it cost "billions of dollars" to implement? Why do you need "special" Algebra teachers? Can't just regular math teachers teach Algebra (after all they all HAD to take it to get into college)? Seems the teachers union is crying wolf. Look, unless we raise our education standards, and quickly, how will we compete in a world where Asian kids learn multiple languages AND math better than we do? Come on! My daughter took Algebra 1 in the 8th grade, it is already offered and was not a big deal. So why will it cost “billions of dollars” to implement? Why do you need “special” Algebra teachers? Can’t just regular math teachers teach Algebra (after all they all HAD to take it to get into college)? Seems the teachers union is crying wolf. Look, unless we raise our education standards, and quickly, how will we compete in a world where Asian kids learn multiple languages AND math better than we do? Come on!

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