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- Q. When does the Algebra I requirement actually go
into effect?
A. "Commencing with the 2003-04 school year" refers to the beginning of the school year. The requirement applies
to the graduating class of the 2003-04 school year, which includes
any students who graduate during the school year.
- Q. Do special education students have to meet this
requirement?
A. Yes. In order to earn a high school diploma, students
in special education are required to pass a course or combination
of courses based on all Algebra I content standards. The Algebra
I content standards are the same for all students; however, some
students in special education may require accommodations or modifications
to instruction. The individualized education program (IEP) team
determines the type of instruction appropriate for each student.
- Q. Can a waiver be filed for special education students
with regards to the Algebra I graduation requirement?
A. A district or county office of education governing
board or a Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA) have a right
to file an Education Code (EC) Section 56101
waiver on a specific waiver form for individual students with
the State Board of Education (SBE). However, the review and approval
of these waivers will be stringent. For forms and additional information,
see the Special
Education Waiver Authority.
- Q. Do students who graduate through an adult school
program have to meet this requirement?
A. Yes. EC Section 52504 states that students
who graduate through an adult school program within a K-12 local
educational agency must meet the same graduation requirements
as any other graduate in the district.
- Q. If a student passed Algebra I in grade eight, does
it count as having satisfied this requirement?
A. Yes. If a student completes coursework that meets
or exceeds the academic content standards for Algebra I prior
to grade nine, then the Algebra I graduation requirement is met.
However, only the algebra requirement is met, and the student
must still complete two years of mathematics in grades nine through
twelve. One of these courses must meet or exceed the academic content standards for Algebra I.
- Q. Does "complete the course," mean "pass
the course?"
A. Yes. The algebra requirement is no different from
other graduation requirements in this respect. Completing two
years of English, for example, also means, "pass the course."
- Q. Can "course" be interpreted to mean one
semester of Algebra I?
A. The requirement is that the course "meet or exceed
the rigor of the content standards for Algebra I, as adopted by
the SBE pursuant to Section 60605." If all Algebra I standards
are met in the semester course by the use of extended time, for
example, then the requirement may be met in one semester. The
intent of the law is for students to complete a full course of
Algebra I. Whether that takes more or less time than the typical
one year is a matter of scheduling.
- Q. If a student passes the first semester of a one-year
Algebra I course and then changes to a two-year Algebra I course,
will this meet the requirement?
A. The Algebra I graduation requirement is only met if
a student has completed a full course in Algebra I. While this
may involve a series of courses, all 25 Algebra I standards must
be addressed in these courses.
- Q. If a student passes Algebra I prior to grade nine,
does that student have to take two mathematic courses that exceed
the rigor of Algebra I?
A. No. At least one of the two mathematics courses a student is required
to take must meet or exceed the academic content standards for Algebra I.
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