Mathematics Education in New York

In the United States, the state of New York has implemented a novel curriculum for high school mathematics. The courses Integrated Algebra’, Geometry, and Algebra II/Trigonometry are required courses mandated by the New York State Department of Education for high school graduation

Integrated Algebra

This is the first course in the new three year curriculum. It replaced “Math A”.

Students will learn to how write, solve, and graph equations and inequalities. They will also learn how to solve systems of equations, quadratics, as well as exponents, exponential functions, polynomials, radicals, and rational expressions. Other topics included are probability and statistics

At the conclusion of this one year course, students take the New York State regents exam in Integrated Algebra. The first administration of this exam was in June 2008.

Geometry

This is the second course in the new three year curriculum. It replaced part of “Math A” and part of “Math B”

Geometric concepts such as right triangles are introduced. The course will also cover topics such as perpendicular and parallel lines, triangles, quadrilaterals, and transformations

At the conclusion of this one year course, students take the New York State regents exam in Geometry. The first administration of this exam was in June 2009.

Algebra II/Trigonometry

This is the final course of the new three year curriculum. It replaced the elements of “Math B” not covered in geometry.

This course covers concepts that can be found in trigonometry and advanced algebra, as well as preparing students for pre-calculus and calculus and reviewing old topics. During their year of study, students will learn different theorems, graph complex numbers and vectors, as well as reviewing topics such as exponential functions, systems of inequalities, and radicals. As the year progresses, students will be expected to relate these functions to the real world, create conjectures through their own research, and begin a classroom discussion about these topics.

At the conclusion of this one year course, students will take the New York State regents exam in Algebra II/Trigonometry. This is the last regents exam in mathematics students will ever take. Like the former “Math B” regents, it is considered one of the hardest regents of high school, along with the Physical Setting/Chemistry regents and the Physical Setting/Physics regents. The first administration of this exam was in June 2010.

Math A (former course)

Math A replaces the former “Course 1″ curriculum which focused solely on the topic of algebra, while Math A covers a whole range of topics.