9486 in the collection
Algebra for All
In the letter below, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger urges State Board of Eduction members to adopt his ambitious goal of ensuring every California 8th grader is held to the highest education standard in mathematics in the nation: Algebra I testing. The Board will vote tomorrow regarding assessment of content standards for 8th grade mathematics at its regular meeting.
“I have always been a staunch supporter of high academic standards in California,” said Governor Schwarzenegger. “I am asking the State Board to do away with the below grade-level General Mathematics test and chart California’s course to lead the nation in 8th grade math. I stand committed to ensuring schools have the resources needed to prepare every 8th grader to take an Algebra I standardized test.”
California is the only state in the nation to use Algebra I as the official standard for 8th grade mathematics. Since 2003, the number of California 8th graders taking Algebra I has increased from 34 to 52 percent, compared with just 30 percent of 8th graders nationwide.
Someone should look at how the pushout rates have changed since 2003.
CA State Board meeting is July 9 to vote on this
issue. If you know anyone in California
who would write in or speak, please ask
them to act.
address: sbe@cde.ca.gov
State Board number is:
916/319 0827
Meeting is at State Board
1430 N Street
Room 5111
Sacramento 95814
GOVERNOR ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER
STATE CAPITOL • SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA 95814 • (916) 445-2841
July 8, 2008
Mr. Theodore R. Mitchell
President
California State Board of Education
1430 N Street
Sacramento, California 95814
Dear President Mitchell,
I have always been a staunch supporter of California’s high academic standards. I am very proud
that we as a state have not wavered in our commitment to setting high expectations for our students
so that they can achieve their dreams in whatever they choose to pursue, be it college or career.
You have a decision before you regarding assessment of content standards for eighth-grade
mathematics that will do nothing less than set the course for California’s future. California’s
standards make it clear that eighth graders should be prepared to master Algebra I – the highest
academic bar in the nation. Those who feared we set the bar too high were proved wrong. Since
2003, the number of California eighth graders taking Algebra I has increased from 34 percent to 52
percent, compared with just 30 percent of eighth graders nationwide. We expected more of our
students, and they delivered.
The State Board must choose whether we align the eighth-grade mathematics test with our high
expectations or perpetuate a two-track system: one for high achievers and one for those of whom
we expect less. This fork in the road is a choice between California’s bold future and a status quo
that is safe, mediocre and unacceptable. I am asking the State Board to do away with the belowgrade-
level General Mathematics test and designate the state’s existing Algebra I exam as
California’s test to measure eighth-grade mathematics for federal accountability purposes.
To do
otherwise would lower our expectations and continue to divide our children between those we
believe in and those we leave behind. If we don’t believe in every child’s potential, how can we ask
children to believe in themselves?
Algebra is the gateway to critical thinking, pivotal for success in science, engineering and
technology. How many times must California hear the warning that if we do not invest in our
human capital – in K-12 math and science – we will be unable to maintain our leadership in a global
economy? We have made significant gains in enrolling students in Algebra I in eighth grade in
recent years, surpassing other states in the U.S. But we must set our goals higher. In 2007,
California’s eighth graders ranked 44th in the nation in mathematics achievement.
Internationally,
eighth graders in the United States are outperformed in mathematics by their counterparts in
Singapore, South Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Japan, as well as Belgium, the Netherlands,
Estonia and Hungary. We must prepare our children for a knowledge-based economy in which
algebra is the cornerstone.
I am certain that some will oppose this goal as unattainable and overly aggressive. This same level
of alarm – the fear of failure – surrounded implementation of the STAR test and the California High
School Exit Exam. In each of these cases we raised the bar, we met the goal and we substantially
improved the quality of education for all our students.
I know that this high standard will require an intense commitment and increased investment in the
resources for schools and the professional development of our teacher corps. I am committed to
prioritizing and expanding the resources necessary to achieve the standards of excellence California
deserves – and I know future governors and future legislatures will do the same.
It is hard to reach for something greater when we are having difficulty meeting our current budget
needs, whether that means improving our infrastructure, reducing our greenhouse gases or setting
higher standards for our students. As I have said before, we cannot be paralyzed by our current
budget situation – we must prepare for the future. President Kennedy did not challenge Americans
to reach the moon when and if they could afford to try. He said America must set the goal and rise
to the challenge, whatever it takes. California must do the same.
I thank you for your great service to our children and our state. Please join me in charting this bold
course for our children’s future.
Sincerely,
Arnold Schwarzenegger
— Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
letter
2008-07-08
INDEX OF OUTRAGES
Pages: 380
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