What sequence should be followed in using the various Saxon books?
On this issue, I find that Saxon does not even agree with itself. On one part of their website, they say to use the Saxon 87 book and if the child does well, to skip the Algebra book and move directly into Algebra I. However, the placement chart that has been up at the site for as long as I have been going there, does not support that advice and neither do I. It has always been my understanding, as well as my observation from using Saxon 87 in my classroom, that the 87 book is more or less a remedial book. I was advised that if a student has done well in Saxon 65 and Saxon 76, one should skip Saxon 87 and place the child directly into Saxon Algebra (pre-algebra). I have found that advice to work well for my students, as well as for my son. I would suggest a modification in the chart sequence for more advanced students. I see no reason to waste a year of instruction by extending the time during which a student studies Saxon Advanced Math. My son completed the book, with no problems, in
