Worksheet problem 29 was troublesome for some eighth-graders in Bart Wilder's algebra class at Casper Classical Academy.

"You multiply by three, because that's the number on the bottom of the equation," a girl said to students at her table, before launching into a speedy explanation of how she came to her answer for the equation Y = 4x + 1/3.

Casper Classical requires all eighth-graders to take algebra, and only in rare cases is an eighth-grader placed in pre-algebra.

"We have students that struggle," said Wilder, who teaches all the academy's math classes. "But it should be noted that even if we offered an introduction to pre-algebra, we'd still have students that struggle."

The California State Board of Education recently implemented a proposal that requires all eighth-graders to be tested on Algebra I concepts by 2011. As such, the proposal required every eighth-grade student to take algebra.

Educators opposed to the decision said not every student is ready to take algebra by the eighth grade. Leaders said the decision would help challenge students and make school more engaging.

Vicki Foster, a school district director of curriculum and instruction, said each of Natrona County's junior highs offers algebra to students. Wyoming education standards call for teaching pre-algebra concepts in eighth grade.

"We've had conversations in the district for many years about trying to prepare students to take algebra as eighth-graders," she said. "Teachers have not really felt that kids are ready for that."

While Wilder firmly believes eighth-graders can learn algebra, he said California's decision wasn't a good one.

"It is not a wise thing to do across the board," Wilder said, adding that teaching algebra at Casper Classical works because of increased parent involvement, hard work from students and teacher support.

The school also offers before- and after-school tutoring, including the Bridges program, where students are tutored for 75-minutes, four times a week.

"All kids can learn algebra in eighth grade," Wilder said. "They don't get there the same way or at the same time, but they can get there."

Principal Marie Puryear said the school's philosophy focuses on challenging students instead of letting them take an easier path.

"Kids typically go above and beyond if you push them to," Puryear said. "If they have that support at home, it goes a long way in helping them not drown or feel overwhelmed that the bar is so high."

A report from the Brown Center on Education Policy at the Brookings Institution found that 120,000 students nationally are enrolled in eighth-grade algebra, though they have math skills comparable to a second-grader's.

The number might not seem particularly alarming, but there's evidence that students who begin failing classes in junior high are more likely to drop out in high school.

The California Dropout Research Project found that failing courses, especially Algebra I, had a particularly severe impact on the likelihood of graduating on time.

Algebra is basically an abstraction of arithmetic, said Steve Lovelace, who works with math students at Frontier Middle School. If a student doesn't have a strong grasp on basic addition or division skills, tackling algebra is a frustrating and difficult task.

In response to California's decision, Lovelace said teaching certain algebraic concepts is often more appropriate than learning traditional algebra formulas and equations.

It's an American ideal to think that since some students are successful in one thing, everyone else should be, he said.

"Therefore, we say, 'All kids can, with the right instruction or if they work hard enough,'" Lovelace said. "The idea behind every kid taking algebra is a naive one."

Reach education reporter Jasa Santos at (307) 266-0593 or at Jasa.Santos@trib.com