ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, February 19, 1997 TAG: 9702190101
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
No longer is algebra primarily a course for college-bound high school students or those who like mathematics.
All ninth-graders in Roanoke schools will be required to take Algebra 1 or a higher mathematics course beginning this fall.
The city has adopted the requirement because of the state's new academic standards and studies that show that algebra can help improve students' thinking skills in other subjects.
Students will be examined on algebra and geometry in the 11th grade under the new testing program for the state's Standards of Learning.
"Our goal is to get our students ready for the SOLs," said Rita Bishop, assistant superintendent for instruction.
A good background in algebra and higher mathematics also is a key to success in many technical fields and at selective colleges and universities, Bishop said.
"We know that many fields today are heavily based on mathematics, and algebra is a foundation."
About 75 percent of ninth-graders in the city have been taking Algebra 1 or higher mathematics courses in recent years.
Algebra will be difficult for some students, but city schools have begun "hands-on instruction" on algebraic concepts and equations in elementary grades to help prepare students for Algebra 1, said Tina Weiner, mathematics coordinator for the schools.
"We're teaching children as early as the fourth grade about equations and solving algebraic problems," she said.
"We anticipated the SOLs would go this way," Bishop said. "This is the trend, and we expected it."
Roanoke County schools began requiring all ninth-graders to take algebra this year.
The county has divided Algebra 1 into a two-year course for students who want to move at a slower pace and do not have a background in algebraic concepts, however.
The county still offers a one-year course in Algebra 1 for college-bound students who desire an academic or advanced studies diploma.
Salem offers a two-part course in Algebra 1, beginning in the seventh grade, in addition to a regular one-year Algebra 1 course that can be taken as early as the eighth grade.
About 85 percent of Salem students are taking either the regular or the two-year course, but so far Salem has not mandated algebra for all students, said Joe Kirby, director of instruction.
"We've been waiting to see whether the state Board of Education [might require algebra]," he said.
Roanoke will offer only a one-year course that covers all of Algebra 1, Bishop said. The city will not offer a two-part course similar to those in Salem and Roanoke County.
Roanoke schools will provide tutors and summer programs for students who might have trouble with algebra.
"Everyone will have to pass it to graduate, and we won't relax the standards, but we will put together a program to help those who might need assistance," Bishop said.
LENGTH: Medium: 67 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: ROGER HART STAFF. Matt Harris, a 10th-grader at Patrickby CNBHenry High School, gets help with an Algebra problem from teacher
Patricia Sheedy. color. Graphic: Chart by staff: Can you solve this
algebra problem?