Originally Posted by Bostonian
But what does a passing grade in high school algebra signify if one cannot pass an algebra test?

The article seems to say that many kids go into the placement test with no prior study / review, and with no particular reason to attempt to do well. If you plunked me in front of an algebra test today, and said it would make no difference in anything how I did on it, you'd probably conclude that I needed remedial coursework. What I really need is a half-hour review of whatever I've forgotten in the 25 years since I last took an algebra class, and an understanding of the consequences of the test results.