Why Is Algebra Difficult For Many High School Students?
Algebra is sometimes considered to be the most difficult of all mathematical disciplines to teach. The reasons for this are numerous. First, since algebra is the first truly abstract mathematical subject that most students encounter, the teacher or algebra tutor must not only teach the mechanics of algebra, but must also help the students struggle with the conceptual paradigm shift that one undergoes when transitioning from arithmetic to algebra. While some primary schools have tried to teach arithmetic with an eye towards helping the students handle abstract concepts, the public has been largely unreceptive to such “new math” and, therefore, it seems that traditional arithmetic education is with us to stay and the transition to algebra will continue to be a difficult one. Another reason for the difficulty involved with being an algebra teacher or algebra tutor is that, for most students, their parents had been able to assist with homework and studying up to this point but, quite often
Related Questions
- I understand that students who took Algebra 1 or Spanish 1 or 2 or French 1 or 2 at Kellogg can receive high school credit for these courses. How does that happen?
- Can students taking high school-level courses such as Algebra I in grades 6 8 be able to retake the course in high school if they receive a grade of C or higher?
- Should high school students with an intellectual disability be included in academic classes such as algebra, chemistry, and regular education English?
