Originally Posted by ultramarina
I only have information about the two advanced tracks, but I assume that the typical track in my district is still algebra in 9th, since "high advanced" is algebra in 7th and "advanced" is algebra in 8th...but I'm not positive, since both those classes are also designated "honors/advanced." There might be "regular" algebra in 8th, too? Something that goes slower but covers similar material.

I know there was a big national "algebra in 8th grade for all" push a while back--I'm ashamed to say that I forget how this has generally gone.
Found this:

http://www.brookings.edu/research/reports/2013/03/18-eighth-grade-math-loveless

Take-away--not well, except for students who took algebra I in 7th grade or earlier.

...pronounced like the long vowel and first letter of the alphabet...