Opinion
Mathematics Letter to the Editor

Algebraic Thinking Should Be Taught Early, Often

May 15, 2012 1 min read
  • Save to favorites
  • Print

To the Editor:

Some thoughts in response to “Researchers Suggest Early Algebra Harmful to Struggling Students” (April 25, 2012): In our extensive work with algebra-readiness programs across the country, we believe that preparing students for success in algebra is more important than pushing students to take the Algebra 1 course as early as possible.

The key to success in algebra, whether in 8th grade or 9th grade, is in fostering algebraic ways of thinking alongside content coverage and skills development. Rather than push for all students to take a formal algebra course at any particular grade level—which will undoubtedly leave some students behind—we should focus on improving students’ algebraic instruction and understanding at all levels. Algebraic thinking and reasoning should be developed across the grades, even in the elementary grades, and doing so can support the critical transition from arithmetic to algebra.

Taking an algebra course no doubt opens up opportunities to succeed in further science, technology, engineering, and mathematics—all the STEM fields. Most important, however, is making sure students have many opportunities to develop their mathematical reasoning, thereby supporting them to succeed across the spectrum of high school mathematics.

For all students, we should ensure that there are opportunities to succeed in algebra. For those 8th graders who are prepared and ready to take Algebra 1, we should do what we can to make the course available.

June Mark and Bryan Wunar

Senior Project Directors

Education Development Center

Waltham, Mass.

A version of this article appeared in the May 16, 2012 edition of Education Week as Algebraic Thinking Should Be Taught Early, Often

Events

Jobs Virtual Career Fair for Teachers and K-12 Staff
Find teaching jobs and other jobs in K-12 education at the EdWeek Top School Jobs virtual career fair.
Ed-Tech Policy Webinar Artificial Intelligence in Practice: Building a Roadmap for AI Use in Schools
AI in education: game-changer or classroom chaos? Join our webinar & learn how to navigate this evolving tech responsibly.
Education Webinar Developing and Executing Impactful Research Campaigns to Fuel Your Ed Marketing Strategy 
Develop impactful research campaigns to fuel your marketing. Join the EdWeek Research Center for a webinar with actionable take-aways for companies who sell to K-12 districts.

EdWeek Top School Jobs

Teacher Jobs
Search over ten thousand teaching jobs nationwide — elementary, middle, high school and more.
View Jobs
Principal Jobs
Find hundreds of jobs for principals, assistant principals, and other school leadership roles.
View Jobs
Administrator Jobs
Over a thousand district-level jobs: superintendents, directors, more.
View Jobs
Support Staff Jobs
Search thousands of jobs, from paraprofessionals to counselors and more.
View Jobs

Read Next

Mathematics How AI Should Change Math Education: New Guidance on How to Adapt
The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics is one of the first teaching organizations to take an official position on AI.
2 min read
Conceptual image of A.I. robot head and numbers flowing through it's head.
iStock/Getty
Mathematics Spotlight Spotlight on New Insights in Math Learning
This Spotlight will help you investigate high-quality math curricula, identify strategies to improve student math outcomes, and more.
Mathematics What Is a Math Screener, and How Can They Help Young Students? 3 Things to Know
Identifying and supporting students early on can pay big dividends later. But math intervention differs from reading, researchers say.
5 min read
 Toy wooden numbers
Marat Sirotyukov/iStock/Getty