Why Focus on Algebra?

During our inaugural year, Blue Engine Fellows will work with first-year high school students exclusively on coursework in Algebra I.  Adequate preparation in algebra offers our students the foundation they need to succeed in more advanced math coursework — putting them on a more favorable academic trajectory for long-term success in higher education.

According to the U.S. Department of Education and leading experts on college readiness, high school students from low-income families who take algebra and geometry courses attend and succeed in college at almost three times the rate than those who don’t. ETS (the folks behind the SAT and other standardized tests) call Algebra I a “gateway course” because it’s a prerequisite for more advanced math study.  Students who don’t master core academic concepts in Algebra often find it difficult to catch up, causing a snowball effect that impacts their ability to graduate from high school and transition successfully into higher education.

In order to build that foundation, Blue Engine is dedicated to helping students build strong foundations in Algebra starting day one of freshman year.  In future years, we plan to expand the scope of our academic support to include additional courses in mathematics, English, and Language Arts.