Junior High Mathematics – Grades Seven and Eight Junior high is a critical transition phase in your school’s curriculum. It summarizes what has come before and prepares the way for more advanced study. Unfortunately, these years seem to be part of a “weak link” in American mathematics education. Many observers argue that, as students progress into junior high, the typical U.S. math curriculum becomes repetitive and less challenging than it is elsewhere. According to the Department of Education, students in other countries are introduced to algebra and geometry in the years before high school, while relatively few U.S. junior high schools teach these topics. The following pages outline a challenging model curriculum that gives students strong doses of arithmetic, geometry, and algebra. Remember, your school may not follow this exact sequence. The most important thing is to satisfy yourself that its program is demanding and keeps pupils moving forward. A healthy dose of algebra in junior high gives students an undeniable advantage. It is the “gateway” to advanced mathematics and science in high school and beyond. Talk to teachers about how much algebra your child will be getting in school, and when it will come.  Another important goal in these years is...