Can you name the most frequently failed high school course?It’s a subject that students have called “difficult,” “challenging,” and, at times, “torture.”Yes. It’s a math class.And if you guessed Algebra, you’re right.The fact that so many students struggle with Algebra is a real problem because it’s a class that has far-reaching impacts on their lives. Here’s why.Algebra is one of the most important indicators of a student’s future success. Students who pass Algebra 1 by the end of 9th grade open the door to advanced STEM courses and AP classes, and are more likely to enroll in college, graduate with a Bachelor’s degree, and go on to well-paid, in-demand careers.Conversely, for students who fail Algebra 1, the door to opportunity often closes. Students who don’t complete Algebra 1 have just a one in five chance of graduating from high school. This is a statistic that particularly affects students who are Black, Latino, English learners, or experiencing poverty, putting them at a disadvantage for future careers and higher earnings. And during COVID-19, these students are facing greater uncertainty and challenges academically because of widespread disruptions to schooling.
Source: More students flunk this high school course than any other | Bill Gates
