Over the years, high school graduation requirements in the United States have become
increasingly more difficult. Students today must take many more classes in the core subjects
(English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies) than students did even 10 years ago. The rigor
of these courses has also increased, holding our students to higher expectations than in years
past. The mathematics curriculum alone has undergone considerable changes, including the
current implementation of the new Common Core State Standards for Mathematics (CCSSM,
2010). One of the most significant of these changes is the restructuring of the Algebra I
curriculum to include more upper-level concepts, together with the push for students to take it at
an earlier age. Competition around the globe is no doubt a contributor to this gradual increase in
coursework and difficulty level, as the United States continues to significantly underperform
many countries in mathematics. While it is important for our students to strive for excellence
and hold themselves to high standards, is it necessary to subject all students to an increasingly
more complex mathematics curriculum in order to earn a high school diploma? Should every
student be required to pass Algebra I in order to graduate?