[Luke]

Requiring Algebra in 8th grade is ridiculous, IMO. There really is no reason for it. Frankly, too many kids, my son, included, are pushed into Algebra as low as 7th grade. There really is no reason for it, and if I had to do it over again, I would have insisted that he had taken pre-Algebra in 7th grade.

Unfortunately, the reality is that California has Algebra as an 8th grade standard, and therefore, the feds under NCLB have come down on the state for not testing all 8th graders in Algebra. Hence, the response is to require all students to take Algebra in 8th grade. The curriculum will, of course, be watered down so all can pass.