Originally Posted by Val
I didn't understand the difference between "college algebra" and "algebra I" or "algebra II" and why college algebra precedes calculus (a high school or first-year college course). Does this mean that students are repeating courses they took in high school when they get to college?

The answer seems to be yes. I did a web search for "college algebra syllabus." I found that "college algebra" is really "high school algebra taught at a college."
We are getting close to this point so I'll have more info soon, but my dds' school system has the following path for Algebra, which seems to indicate that they view "college algebra" as distinct from algebra I or II and, presumably, more advanced:
Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, College Algebra, Trig, Calculus AB (or taken as two classes: Calc A and then Calc B).

Study Strategies for Accelerated Learners