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What does a student learn in ?

This is the year math shifts from arithmetic to thinking in functions. Students write equations with letters like x and y, then graph them as straight lines, curves, and steep growth patterns to describe real situations like a phone bill or a savings account. They also learn to handle two equations at once and to spot trends in real data. By spring, students can take a word problem, write an equation for it, and graph the answer.

  • Linear equations
  • Graphing lines
  • Systems of equations
  • Quadratic functions
  • Exponential growth
  • Data and inference
Source: District of Columbia DC Academic Content Standards
Year at a glance
How the year usually goes. Every school and district set their own curriculum, so treat this as a guide, not official pacing.
  1. 1

    Linear equations and inequalities

    Students write and solve equations with one unknown, then graph lines and shaded regions on a coordinate plane. They use these tools to answer real questions about money, distance, and time.

  2. 2

    Systems of equations

    Students work with two equations at once to find where two lines cross. They use systems to compare options, like which phone plan costs less after a certain number of months.

  3. 3

    Quadratic functions

    Students study curves shaped like a U, the kind that show the path of a thrown ball. They learn to graph them, find where they hit zero, and write equations that match a picture or a story.

  4. 4

    Exponential growth and decay

    Students see what happens when something doubles each step or shrinks by half. They use these patterns to model savings that earn interest, populations that grow, and medicine that fades from the body.

  5. 5

    Polynomials and data analysis

    Students add, subtract, and multiply longer algebraic expressions. They also look at real data sets, fit a line or curve to the points, and decide what the numbers suggest.

Mastery Learning Standards
The required skills a student should display by the end of Grade 9.
Standards for Mathematical Practice
  • Make Sense of Problems

    Algebra I

    Students read a math problem carefully, figure out what it's actually asking, and keep trying even when the first approach doesn't work.

  • Reason Abstractly

    Algebra I

    Students take a real situation (like a bike ride or a sale price) and turn it into an equation, then solve it and translate the answer back into plain language that matches the original problem.

  • Construct Arguments

    Algebra I

    Students back up their math answers with reasons, then explain where someone else's reasoning goes wrong or why it holds up.

  • Model with Mathematics

    Algebra I

    Students take a real situation, like splitting a bill or estimating a trip's cost, and write an equation or draw a graph to make sense of it. The math explains something that actually happens outside the classroom.

  • Use Tools Strategically

    Algebra I

    Students choose the right tool for the problem, whether that means a calculator, a quick estimate, or working it out by hand. The goal is knowing which approach fits, not just reaching for the same one every time.

  • Attend to Precision

    Algebra I

    Students choose words and labels carefully when solving problems. They use the right units, write clear math statements, and double-check calculations so their answers mean exactly what they intend.

  • Algebra I

    Students learn to spot patterns and hidden structure in math problems, like recognizing that an expression factors a certain way or that a graph has symmetry. That recognition becomes a shortcut for solving harder problems faster.

  • Express Regularity

    Algebra I

    Students notice when the same steps keep showing up in a problem and use that pattern to find a shortcut or write a general rule. It's the habit of asking, "Why does this keep working?"

  • Make Sense of Problems

    Geometry

    Students read a math problem carefully, figure out what it's actually asking, and keep working through it even when the first approach doesn't pan out.

  • Reason Abstractly

    Geometry

    Students take a real problem, strip it down to numbers and symbols to solve it, then translate the answer back into plain English to check that it actually makes sense in context.

  • Construct Arguments

    Geometry

    Students build a logical case for their answer using facts, diagrams, or examples, then explain where another student's reasoning holds up or falls apart.

  • Model with Mathematics

    Geometry

    Students use math to make sense of real situations, like figuring out how much paint covers a wall or how a ramp meets a building code. The math connects to something outside the textbook.

  • Use Tools Strategically

    Geometry

    Students choose the right tool for the job, whether that means a calculator, a sketch on paper, or a quick estimate. The goal is knowing when each one helps and when it gets in the way.

  • Attend to Precision

    Geometry

    Students use exact math words and the right units when solving problems. A length stays in inches or centimeters, an angle stays in degrees, and a calculation gets carried through without rounding too early.

  • Geometry

    Students learn to spot patterns and hidden structure in math problems, like recognizing that a complicated shape is really just a few simpler ones combined. Seeing that structure helps them solve problems faster and with more confidence.

  • Express Regularity

    Geometry

    When a method works the same way every time, students notice the pattern and write it as a rule or formula. That shortcut saves them from redoing the same steps on every new problem.

Algebra I
  • Algebra I

    Students write equations for straight-line relationships, solve them, and plot them on a graph. They also apply this to real situations, like figuring out costs over time or when two quantities are equal.

  • Algebra I

    Students write pairs of equations or inequalities together and find the values that satisfy both at once. This shows up in real problems like comparing phone plans or splitting costs.

  • Quadratic Functions

    Algebra I

    Quadratic functions make a U-shaped curve on a graph. Students learn to write and graph these functions to describe real situations, like the path of a thrown ball or the area of a rectangle with a changing side.

  • Exponential Functions

    Algebra I

    Students read graphs and write equations that show how something grows fast (like money earning interest) or shrinks over time (like a car losing value). The focus is on spotting the pattern and connecting it to a formula.

  • Polynomials and Statistics

    Algebra I

    Students add, subtract, and multiply polynomials (expressions with variables and exponents), then read data from charts and graphs to spot patterns and draw conclusions about one or two sets of numbers.

Geometry
  • Geometry

    Rigid transformations are moves that preserve shape and size: slides, flips, and turns. Students use those moves to show that two figures are congruent and to write formal proofs about triangles and other shapes.

  • Similarity, Right Triangles, and Trigonometry

    Geometry

    Using similar shapes and trig ratios like sine, cosine, and tangent, students find missing side lengths and angles in right triangles. This shows up in real problems involving ramps, shadows, and distances that can't be measured directly.

  • Geometry

    Students use the relationships between angles, arcs, and line segments inside and around a circle to solve problems, such as finding a missing angle or the length of a chord.

  • Coordinate Geometry

    Geometry

    Students use equations and coordinate grids to describe shapes and lines precisely. They prove geometric properties, like whether two lines are parallel or a triangle is a right triangle, using numbers instead of diagrams alone.

  • Measurement and Modeling

    Geometry

    Students find the area of flat shapes, the surface area and volume of solids, and apply those calculations to real problems like estimating materials or filling a container.

Assessments
The state tests students at this grade and subject take.
State Summative

DC CAPE: High School (Algebra I, English II)

End-of-course CAPE assessments in Algebra I and English II for high school accountability.

When given:
spring
Frequency:
by course completion
Official source