To help parents understand why algebra matters, staff writer Patrick Winn spoke last week with Mark Cavanaugh, a math teacher at McDougle Middle School

Q: Getting through algebra without hating math is crucial, according to many teachers. Why?

A: That means they're probably good at algebra and can take the higher-level courses in high school. Trigonometry, pre-calculus and advanced placement calculus are courses colleges really look at now."

Q: Do you think algebra is often one of students' first major roadblocks in math?

A: Occasionally kids who are successful in all of their previous math classes hit algebra and realize it's difficult. But more often than not, the student is going to show problems in math several years before they hit algebra. Now, algebra concepts are taught as early as fourth and fifth grade.

Q: Do you think it's good to have students take algebra in eighth grade as the default?

A: It's a good goal, and I think if a student really wants to take the classes they need for college, they're going to need to take algebra in eighth grade.

If you want to take chemistry, which you would want to take by 10th grade, you need to have Algebra II. That's not possible unless you have algebra in eighth grade. However, the reality is a lot of our students aren't currently ready to take algebra in eighth grade.

Q: If parents see their kids struggling through algebra, what can they do?

A: I think the best thing is to contact the teacher. If that's not possible, ask the student to talk to the teacher and see if they can get help outside class. They should do anything to keep them from giving up or saying they hate math and aren't even going to be good at it.

Q: Should students who are really behind turn to tutors?

A: Someone that's really struggling might benefit from tutors. A lot of times, kids that get their first B after getting all A's think they need to get a tutor. Those kids can usually be helped, too. It's usually enough to get them back up to an A in all of their classes.