The Role of Teacher Background and Preparation in Students' Algebra Success.

The percentage of high school students passing the first semester Algebra 1A final exam in January 2000 dropped precipitously from the passing rate one year earlier. That decline in final exam passing rates was due largely to the adoption among all schools of a uniform algebra exam combined with a system-wide uniform grading scale. High school differences in Algebra 1A exam performance were reported to the Board of Education on May 9, 2000. As part of a continuing analysis, the current report summarizes the connections between Algebra 1A exam performance and: (1) teachers' education levels; (2) years of teaching experience; (3) certification for math instruction, and (4) completion of pertinent in-service training courses. (ASK)