Teaching textbooks algebra not meeting CA standards (m)

[momto4kings]

My newly 11 ds (6th grade) is halfway through TT Algebra 1. We decided to go with a charter school this year and the teacher decided to check if we can count it as a high school credit. This is her answer:

"The teaching textbooks don't meet the state standards and they tend to be about a year behind other books, so an Algebra book would count as a Pre-algebra class. When he gets to the next book a few supplements would need to be made to the text to meet all of the standards and then it would count towards the Algebra requirements."

I don't really care that he is doing a math course that doesn't meet CA standards, but I am wondering if he would be prepared well for the ACT and SAT if he were to continue with TT. Incidentally, Saxon Math does not meet CA standards as well, but Saxon has been known to prepare students for the ACT and SAT.

What are your thoughts? I do have Saxon Algebra 1 with the DVD Teacher, so I could have him start that, but I am SO tired of switching around.

Any input will be greatly appreciated!


http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=126196

[Lolly]

I think the teacher is full of phlooey. I'll bet it doesn't meet one or two of the standards. This fall, I had my girls do a quick review of Alg. I using Lial's Introductory Alg. There were only a couple of things that were not covered; graphing inequalities (which was extremely simple for them to pick up) and the quadratic formula (which TT saves for alg 2).

My recommendation would be for you to get a similar Alg. book and go through it very quickly making sure he has had all of the concepts. It took us about 3 weeks. I was extremely pleased by how much mine had remembered from TT considering one had done Geometry for a year in between. We went through each lesson and did all the sample problems for the lessons and the tests at the end of each chapter.

You could use Saxon, but they also cover Geometry topics. If you use it, you could just make sure to skip the geometry problems.

I just realized that I didn't understand your question. I thought you were needing to get it to where he would meet the standards for the charter school. Change my answer to you can just stick with TT. It will cover everything as you progress through the books.

[Kareni]

You might find the following thread (http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=35062&highlight=storm+tt) of interest. In particular, read the posts by Carmen and Company.

Given your son's age, my feeling is he would be well prepared if he were to continue through the series.

Regards,
Kareni

[Jann in TX]

I agree with the school. Teaching Textbooks does not meet state standards.

TT's Algebra 1 program is not that far behind other programs but their Algebra 2 program is about 1 semester behind. I've been working with 2 students who used TT through Algebra 2. It has taken all summer to get them caught up (using Lial's Intermediate Algebra).

**My students had a GREAT foundation after using TT Algebra 1 and Algebra 2 --they were just lacking in exposure to what can be considered NORMAL Algebra 2 concepts. Yes, most of these are covered in the TT Pre-Calc text--but then again that leaves less than 100 lessons to teach actual Pre-Calc concepts--compare what they do teach and again it DOES NOT MEET standards...

TT has been designed/engineered to prepare students for the ACT/SAT. I have no doubts here--but there are so many more concepts beyond those tests that prepare students for higher college maths...

DISCLAIMER: I'm not saying that TT is a bad program--you just need to know what they do and do not cover and judge for yourself if it enough for your student and their needs.

Jann--putting on my fireproof suit and stepping back from the flames I know will be comming!

[Pip]

Incidentally, Saxon Math does not meet CA standards as well, but Saxon has been known to prepare students for the ACT and SAT.



I have nothing to add, but I am surprised about Saxon not meeting the state standards. When I lived in CA the local public school district used Saxon.

[Corraleno]

My newly 11 ds (6th grade) is halfway through TT Algebra 1. .... I am wondering if he would be prepared well for the ACT and SAT if he were to continue with TT.

If your ds is doing TT Alg I in 6th, he will presumably be doing (or will have finished) TT Precalc by 9th, won't he? I've heard that the Geometry is quite good, and assuming he's done AlgI/II/Precalc he will have covered everything in a "regular" Alg II class. In 9th/10th he could do a more rigorous Precalc (like Chalkdust), as well as the usual test prep books, so I think he'd be well prepared for the ACT/SAT. Were you planning to have him take the ACT/SAT before 10th grade?

Jackie