Many people believe algebra is a gate-keeper course that opens the door to many career opportunities denied to those not able to “get it.” Strategies often employed to get middle school children ready for this important course of study include doubling up on remedial math for the low achievers at the expense of exploratory, music, art, and prevocational programs. Now comes new evidence that this particular tactic may be akin to shooting oneself (or in this case, the student) in the foot.
Researcher Barbara Helmrich of Baltimore’s College of Notre Dame examined a sample of 6,026 ninth-graders enrolled in six Maryland school districts. The results of her study are startling. To learn what she found click here.
