The Education department is pleased to announce the release of our next generation Algebra I assessment in two parts: Algebra I A and Algebra I B. In deciding on the scope of these Assessments, we have taken into account the historical syllabus for first year Algebra together with the changing nature of the topics included in most current textbooks. To help determine what topics and at what depth constitute a solid program, we have relied on the experience of our staff, the research they have done, and the results of field testing with 60+ franchisees and hundreds of students.
There is not universal agreement as to the exact topics that makeup a solid Algebra I program, even in the era of Common Core. We are aware that in some programs around the US, topics from high school Geometry, and in some cases, Algebra II, are included in first year Algebra. We considered many of these topics, and most cases decided to save them for the next generation Geometry and Higher Math Assessments. The Algebra Assessment Administration document [1] will provide specifics on the scope and intended audience of both the Algebra I A and Algebra I B Assessments.
The release consists of Pre-Assessments, supporting curriculum for both Assessments and Answer Keys. All items are found in their appropriate libraries and assessment entry is located in the Mathnasium dropdown menu.
Please review the Algebra Assessment Administration document carefully for specifics on intended audiences, as well as administration guidelines and recommendations for transitioning students off a Core 9 Learning Plan. Core 9 will remain available for at least six months to allow for students to transition off Learning Plans and be Post-Assessed.
Work has already begun on Post-Assessments, Partial Post functionality and mappings to Canadian Core, Test Prep, and Precalculus Assessments. In the near future we will be releasing a comprehensive Algebra WOB to support this program.
After you have had a chance to give this new assessment several times, we would appreciate your feedback. Please contact support@mathnasium.com [2] with any feedback you may have.
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6 Comments To "Education Department Update: Algebra I Assessments Available for US Franchisees"
#1 Comment By Julie Haba On February 22, 2017 @ 9:15 am
Thank you, thank you, thank you for all of your hard work! Success in Algebra I is critical and we are EXCITED to implement this important assessment/curriculum! =)
#2 Comment By Max Sennett On February 22, 2017 @ 2:08 pm
The ordering could be a little confusing, since ‘Mathnasium Assessment Algebra Readiness’ replaced Core 8, and it is located at the bottom of the list when selecting a new assessment. HQ should really change the naming to make the ‘Mathnasium Assessment Algebra Readiness’ appear above the IA and IB Assessments.
#3 Comment By Matt Yeager On February 25, 2017 @ 7:57 am
How exactly are we supposed to make this work without support for partial assessments?
#4 Comment By Matt Yeager On February 25, 2017 @ 7:59 am
I’m thrilled that we finally have a new 9; thank you so much for the work you’ve invested into it. It looks great, too! I’m just wondering how to use it without the ability to run a partial–I think having a student retake every single problem on such a long assessment would be counter-productive.
#5 Comment By Education Department On February 27, 2017 @ 5:57 am
Matt-
We are glad you are finding the new Algebra assessments/curriculum useful so far.
Both full and partial posts will be made available in the coming weeks…stay tuned to the blog for a formal follow-up.
#6 Comment By Salma Taher On March 16, 2017 @ 12:38 pm
Thank you for the new releases of Algebra, much needed.