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Health & Fitness

California Graduation Requirements Do Not Align With The New Common Core State Standards

Dawn Urbanek, Neighbor

New Common Core State Standards for Mathematics will require students to take a minimum of three years of math in High School, and require students to "be proficient" in Algebra I and Algebra II in order to graduate.  However, California has not defined how current High School Students (students not currently on an accelerated Math path) will meet the new requirements. California is 1 of 22 States with current graduation requirements that do not match the new Common Core State Standards. 

Current California High School Graduation Requirements in Mathematics:

  • Two years of mathematics (including Algebra I)
Source: http://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/gs/hs/hsgrtable.asp

New Common Core State Standards Graduation Requirements in Mathematics:

  • Three Years of Mathematics (Including Algebra I and Algebra II)

Source: http://www.corestandards.org/assets/CCSSI_Mathematics_Appendix_A.pdf

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Capistrano Unified School District Math Transition Plan:
 
http://capousd.ca.schoolloop.com/file/1260515440215/1325750607253/1144914219077025405.pdf

Capistrano Unified School District/Saddleback College Math Transition Plan:

http://capousd.ca.schoolloop.com/file/1260515440215/1218998864154/6517204788203628872.pdf

Students that take Algebra I in 8th Grade are in line with the New Common Core State Math Standards and are on a path to attend a 4-year college or University. 

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4-year Colleges and Universities require students to complete a minimum of 3 years of math in High School (4 is recommended especially for a "STEM" (Science, Technology, Engineering or Math) program. 

  • 8th Grade Algebra I
  • 9th Grade Geometry
  • 10th Grade Algebra II/Trig
  • 11th Grade Pre-Calculus
  • 12th Grade Calculus    

The latest STAR Test results show that only 50% of all students in CUSD are on a path to attend a 4- year College or University based on taking Algebra I in 8th grade.

  • 39.4% of CUSD students (1,587 students) take Algebra I in the 8th Grade. 88% of these students score proficient and above meaning 35% are in line with the new Common Core State Standards.
  • 15% of CUSD students (626 students) take CST Geometry in 8th Grade. 98% of these students scored proficient and above.
  • .5% of CUSD students (20 students) take Algebra II in 8th Grade. 100% of these students scored proficient and above.

The question then becomes: How is CUSD going to transition the remaining 50% of students currently in Middle School and High School who are not in line with the New Common Core State Standards, and must now show that they are "proficient" in both Algebra I and Algebra II as a requirement to graduate from High School?

The most recent STAR test results show that the ability of students to score "proficient" in Algebra I drops substantially the later that students take Algebra I in High School:

Students taking Algebra I in: 

  • 9th Grade (35.2% of CUSD Students- 1421 Students): 9% Scored Advanced , 48% Scored Proficient- 57% will pass 
  • 10th Grade (16.8% of CUSD Students - 684 Students): 2% Scored Advanced , 23% Scored Proficient  - only 25% will pass 
  • 11th Grade (6.6% of CUSD Students - 260 Students): 0% Scored Advanced , 12% Scored Proficient - only 12% will pass
The New standards have already been adopted. School Districts and Parents need to work together to ensure that all students will be able to transition from the old California State Standards to the New Common Core State Standards and not have their ability to graduate on time, or their ability to pursue a college education or career hindered by the unintended consequences of implementing new standards as they are being written; and before, a transition plan has been fully laid out.

CURRENT CALIFORNIA COLLEGE ADMISSION STANDARDS

To be accepted in the University of California System: 

3 Years Mathematics. Earn a grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or better (3.4 if you're a nonresident) No grade lower than a C. Meet the examination requirement by taking the ACT Plus Writing or the SAT Reasoning Test by December of your senior year. 

Source: http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/freshman/requirements/index.html 


To be accepted in the California State System:

Math 3 years minimum (4 years recommended) including Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, or higher mathematics (take one each year). A grade of C or better is required for each course you use to meet any subject requirement. ACT and SAT testing is not required; however, completion of college entrance exams will boost a students "Eligibility Index"
https://secure.csumentor.edu/planning/high_school/cal_residents.asp
Source: 
https://secure.csumentor.edu/planning/high_school/subjects.asp


To be accepted in the California Community College System: Admission to any of California's 112 community colleges is simple. You will be admitted to the community college of your choice if you meet at least one of the following conditions:
  • You are 18 years of age or older, with or without a high school diploma
  • You are a high school graduate
  • You have the equivalent of a high school diploma
Source: https://secure.californiacolleges.edu/admissions/california-community-colleges/admission-requirement...

Additional Sources: 
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