Many students struggle with algebra, including students that have not previously struggled in math. The biggest drop in math proficiency is seen in 8th grade, the year that most students begin to study Algebra.  According to the 2011 NAEP, a national assessment, only 25 % of 8th graders in California scored proficiently or above in Algebra.  In some California schools, about 1 in 3, 11th graders are still taking Algebra 1 – sometimes for a fourth year in a row!  Not only is success in Algebra needed to graduate from high school, but students who succeed in Algebra usually do better throughout the rest of school and in their professional careers.

Algebra continues to get more complex as each skill builds upon previous skills. It really tests our critical thinking. Students must take Algebra one step at a time. It insures understanding of future concepts. Deciding which functions are needed to solve each problem is key. It takes practice to train our brains to think in the systematic way necessary to understand Algebra. It takes tremendous discipline to put in the effort to really understand Algebra.  If you fall behind, it becomes even more difficult to get back on track.  In addition to the difficulty of catching up on the skills that are missing, the struggle to understand can affect our confidence and attitude, which becomes an additional obstacle in learning Algebra.

If you or your child is struggling with Algebra, hiring a tutor can be an excellent way to get your math skills back on track.  With the ever growing number of students in a classroom, teachers cannot always provide the individualized attention that some learners need.  With so many different ways of learning and different styles of teaching, sometimes we just need to try a different approach.  The benefit of hiring a qualified tutor is that you will be able to select the person with a teaching style that best fits your learning needs and who will be able to assess your needs and provide support in those areas.  In addition to keeping your study sessions on track, a tutor will help you to build confidence in your growing abilities, enabling you to persevere through those tough word problems.

Testimonials about our tutors:

“She helps me make sure that I do all my math problems the right way. Now I feel like I know how to do math.” – Alex, 7th grader, Long Beach

“Because of my tutor, I understand what my Algebra 2 teacher is showing us on the board in class.” – Jenny, 11th grader, Irvine

Posted in Algebra