The Promises and Pitfalls of Implementing a District-Wide Eighth-Grade Algebra I Initiative

• In Event: Poster Session 9
  In Poster Session: Program Evaluation in Schools Poster Session

Abstract

Prior research has shown that students, who take Algebra I in the 8th grade, are more likely to have more rigorous secondary and postsecondary outcomes(Matthews and Farmer, 2008; Schneider, Swanson, and Riegle-Crumb, 1998; Atanda, 1999). This study intends to evaluate the success of the Boston Public Schools’ (BPS) Algebra I Initiative whose goal is to increase non-exam student participation in eighth grade algebra from 1% in 2007 to 40% in 2014. Additionally, this study will evaluate the effects of this initiative on math course performance in eighth grade and future mathematics course-taking and performance in high school. Preliminary results show that while participation has increased district-wide, it differs substantially by racial demographic group.

Authors

• Kamal Chavda, Boston Public Schools

• Apryl Holder, Boston College