Expanding access to algebra before 9th grade greatly benefits students who are prepared to take the course. These students are more likely to enroll and succeed in advanced high school math courses compared to students who lacked access to early algebra. Research shows that early algebra benefits prepared students by setting them on an advanced math pathway, but universal enrollment without careful student readiness assessment has not yielded expected outcomes. Maximizing the success of early algebra requires a coherent instructional strategy that starts as early as kindergarten.

This brief provides guidance on how state and local policymakers can support more students’ successful completion of algebra before high school, and how WestEd can help in those efforts. 

Learn more about Math Perspectives and explore strategies for improving mathematics education with WestEd.