Mathematics education in the United States

From kindergarten through high school, the mathematics education in public schools in the United States has historically varied widely from state to state, and often even varies considerably within individual states. With the recent adoption of the Common Core Standards by 45 states, mathematics content across the country is moving into closer agreement for each grade level. From kindergarten through high school, the mathematics education in public schools in the United States has historically varied widely from state to state, and often even varies considerably within individual states. With the recent adoption of the Common Core Standards by 45 states, mathematics content across the country is moving into closer agreement for each grade level. Each state sets its own curricular standards and details are usually set by each local school district. Although there are no federal standards, 45 states have agreed to base their curricula on the Common Core State Standards in mathematics beginning in 2015. The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics published educational recommendations in mathematics education in 1991 and 2000 which have been highly influential, describing mathematical knowledge, skills and pedagogical emphases from kindergarten through high school. The 2006 NCTM Curriculum Focal Points have also been influential for its recommendations of the most important mathematical topics for each grade level through grade 8. In the United States, mathematics curriculum in elementary and middle school is integrated, while in high school it traditionally has been separated by topic, like Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, each topic usually lasting for the whole school year. (A few states and localities follow an integrated curriculum, as other countries do.) Algebra I, also known as elementary algebra or beginning algebra, is the first course students take in algebra. Historically, this class has been a high school level course that is often offered as early as the seventh grade but more traditionally in eighth or ninth grades. The course is also offered in community colleges as a basic skills or remedial course. Geometry is usually taken in a student’s 2nd year of high school. The course introduces concepts such as basic trigonometry, angles of elevation and depression, and methods of proving triangle congruency. Algebra II, advanced Algebra or intermediate algebra has a prerequisite of Algebra I. Historically, intermediate algebra has been a high school level course. The Common Core mathematical standards recognizes both the sequential as well as integrated approach to teaching high-school mathematics, which resulted in increased adoption of integrated math programs for high school. Accordingly, the organizations providing post-secondary education updated their enrollment requirements. For example, University of California requires three years of 'college-preparatory mathematics that include the topics covered in elementary and advanced algebra and two- and three-dimensional geometry' to be admitted. After California Department of Education adopted Common Core, the University of California clarified that 'approved integrated math courses may be used to fulfill part or all' of this admission requirement. The above three-course sequence is followed by a course often called pre-calculus for college-bound students. Pre-calculus usually combines advanced algebra (or 'Algebra III') and geometry with trigonometry.