The only thing I know about Common Core Algebra I is that my son's class is using the Larson book that is supposedly aligned with the Common Core. Frankly, it doesn't look any more challenging to me. In fact, in browsing the book, I didn't find a few topics that I would have expected, such as dealing with algebraic fractions and polynomial division. The book essentially ends with the quadratic formula (there are two throwaway chapters afterward). Other books I have used for Algebra I (when I homeschooled) usually had the quadratic equation somewhere in the beginning of the second semester with topics like algebraic fractions following.
The book seems to place extreme emphasis on graphing and inequalities. It is also very much focused on procedural knowledge without much conceptual development. Unfortunately, my son's teacher prefers the "just read the book and come to me with any questions" approach to teaching, so he isn't getting the conceptual stuff there either.
Can you tell I'm frustrated?
Anyway, if this book is any indication, there is *less* covered in Algebra I under the Common Core, not more, and the level of challenge doesn't appear to be any greater.
Last edited by Kai; 01/17/13 04:11 PM.
