Algebra 1 and the path to Calculus
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By Joyce Szuflita
Thinking about the sequence of high school math classes and requirements for graduation and college placement is confusing. It is something that I try to make parents aware of when thinking about vetting middle schools, just because knowledge is power. None if it is a deal breaker, and thinking about what is appropriate in high school math is top of mind for elite colleges as well as high school and middle school educators.
To graduate with a Regents Diploma (the most common diploma) in NYS you need a certain number of high school class credits. As well, in most cases, you also need to pass 5 Regents Tests (HS level subject tests). These tests are NOT used for college placement. They are just graduation requirements. College level high school classes like AP’s, IB’s, Early College and College Now classes can be impactful for college placement. Many middle schools will offer the Algebra 1 Regent in 8th Grade. They may also offer a Science Regent (Living Environment or Earth Science) and in some rarer cases World History. In my experience, the Math has been the only one that adds complexity to a student’s high school schedule. It is nice to get a high school Science or Social Studies class out of the way, but not having them doesn’t keep you from easily accessing strong upper level classes in those disciplines.
Middle schools will make thoughtful decisions about whether or not they will offer a high school level “Algebra 1 Regent” class at 8th grade. Some schools offer it to everyone, some don’t, and some have different tracks. It is definitely not for everyone. My own kids’ middle school didn’t offer Algebra 1. My mathy kids didn’t suffer. They tested into Specialized HS without Algebra. [We did some minimal test prep, but it definitely wasn’t heavy Algebra study.] The HS math sequence is: Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2/Trig, Pre-Calculus, Calculus. The daughter that attended the Specialized HS took a double period of math and made it to Calc by Senior year. The other daughter in a non-Specialized HS was mentored by her math teacher in Junior year and was successfully skipped ahead to Calc. It turns out this is not an uncommon solution. Doubling up on math or ‘catching up’ by taking a more advanced math class in the summer in high school is not wildly difficult to do if your student is willing.
The other thing is that there is a big push at the college level to reassess the necessity of considering Calculus in college placement. Harvard is leading the charge saying it is not necessary.
Specifically, calculus is neither a requirement nor a preference for admission to Harvard. We understand that many students have no intention to pursue college coursework that requires a knowledge of calculus, and that other students are unsure of their future college studies. We also understand that not all students have the same opportunities to take certain math classes in high school, including calculus. Thus, we encourage applicants to pursue the pathways through math that are available to them and aligned with their interests and goals.
From Georgetown University, The Case for De-emphasizing Calculus in College Admissions.
College Counselor, Rachel Coates, was the one that guided me to the information around changing requirements at the college level as well as being a big fan of AP Stats. She says, “it is great for a ‘real life citizen scientist’ reading of material and it ticks the AP box.” Also a new AP in Pre-Calculus is on the way. She thinks that Pre-Calculus is the new bar to reach. She also had a cautionary word - Calculus is not for everyone and it can ruin Senior year.
