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Many more California students now take Algebra I
May 2009
Early student participation in Algebra I has increased greatly in recent years:
- In the first year (1999) that California administered course-specific math tests in grade 8, only 16% of 8th graders took the test for Algebra I. By 2003, this percentage had increased to 32%. In 2008, more than half (51%) of 8th graders took the Algebra I CST.
- Participation has increased among 8th graders of all racial and ethnic backgrounds. The percentage of African American 8th graders taking the Algebra I CST nearly doubled between 2003 and 2008 (24% to 47%). The same is also true for Latino 8th graders (26% to 48%).
- Some 7th graders—5% in 2008—now take the test as well.
More California students are taking Algebra I and are taking it earlier (figure A)
Estimated participation rates in Algebra I have increased among
8th graders of all racial/ethnic groups since 2003 (figure B)
Notes: Figure A: In 2007, 21,739 7th graders took the Algebra I CST. The number increased to 25,635 in 2008. (2007 was the first year that qualified 7th graders could take the Algebra I CST.) Figure B: These rates are calculated by dividing the number of Algebra I CST-takers for a student group in grade 8 (derived from STAR data) by that group’s total grade 8 enrollment (derived from CBEDS data). STAR data do not include a count of total enrollments by subgroup in each grade at the time of STAR testing. CBEDS enrollment data, which are based on student counts at the beginning of the academic year, are used to estimate participation rates for subgroups.
Data: California Department of Education, STAR, CBEDS. Accessed 1/09.
EdSource 5/09
