I suspect Pre-Algebra is a name and that actual curriculum varies from state to state and school district to school district. As Val mentioned, back when I was in school the "Pre-Algebra" class was specifically for the students who (in 9th grade) weren't ready to take Algebra. In my kids' school, Pre-Algebra was a good prep for Algebra I, and really didn't contain any rehash of things already covered. The repetition in our school seems to occur more with the 5th/6th/7th grade math - - and I think this is true for much of our school district, which is why it's easy for gifted kids to skip 6th/7th grade math (which is typically what is done) and move on into pre-Algebra right after the 5th grade math course.

polarbear