Saxon 87 or Algebra 1/2

[Kathy R. in NW Indiana]

I just read in the WTM that Saxon 87 is a "bridge" for students who struggle a little in math and it sounds like we should be using Algebra 1/2 this year instead in order to get in enough geometry to take the PSAT test her junior year. My daughter is in the 8th grade and doing 87. She does very good in math but we just had a year, a few years back, that we got behind in school over all. I just continue to follow the order of Saxon not knowing any different. Am I understand correctly about 87 being a bridge? Should I move her to Algebra 1/2 now?
Thanks for your help,
Kathy

[Titus.Two.Five]

My understanding is that 87 was a bridge yes. However, in the newer homeschool versions that it is not?

bumping for you :)

[Ellie]

I just read in the WTM that Saxon 87 is a "bridge" for students who struggle a little in math and it sounds like we should be using Algebra 1/2 this year instead in order to get in enough geometry to take the PSAT test her junior year. My daughter is in the 8th grade and doing 87. She does very good in math but we just had a year, a few years back, that we got behind in school over all. I just continue to follow the order of Saxon not knowing any different. Am I understand correctly about 87 being a bridge? Should I move her to Algebra 1/2 now?
Thanks for your help,
Kathy

Generally, students do not do both Math 87 and Alg. ½. Did your dd do Math 76? If so, the current editions' sequence is Math 76, Math 87, Alg. 1, if the student completes Math 76 successfully (80% average or higher). If the student struggles with Math 76, then he does Alg. ½, then Alg. 1.

I would say continue with Math 87, if your dd is doing well, then do Alg. 1 and call it a day.
IOW, not both Math 87 and Alg. ½.

If this is your first year using Saxon, did you have your dd take the placement test? If not, then I'd continue with Math 87 then go to Alg. 1.

I'm not sure it's useful to think of either Math 87 or Alg. ½ as a "bridge." You use one or the other based on either having used Math 76 first or the results of the placement test.

[Kathy R. in NW Indiana]

Thank you so much for explaining this to me. My daughter did do Saxon 76. She has used Saxon from the beginning and does very well in math. We will move on to Algebra 1 next year when she is a freshman.

Thanks again,
Kathy

[my4boysmom]

Wow this answered my question and look how long ago it was discussed. Thanks.

[ciyates]

I have the brand new HS version of 8/7 and was told to go from 8/7 to Algebra. The 8/7 book actually says it has algebra 1/2 on the cover.