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Students struggling to prepare for algebra, and the teachers who work with them, face many challenges. Introduction to Algebra addresses these issues directly with its program design and support materials. Specific strategies special needs learners, and English learners, are included in the Teacher Guide, and essays with research-based guidance are in the Teacher Handbook. Here are some other ways Introduction to Algebra addresses these challenges:

Challenge	Meeting the Need
Weak computational skills	Carefully selected numbers within problems allow students to learn and generalize new concepts as they continue to develop fluency with computation.
Low work completion rate	Low achieving students complete colorful student packets because they are a manageable amount of work, and eliminate the need to carry a heavy textbook.
Poor motivation	Meaningful activities, good teacher questioning strategies, and reliance upon cooperative learning engage students.
Inconsistent attendance	Skill Builders give students who miss class substantial opportunities to catch up. Weekly packets give students a fresh start each week.
Lack of confidence in mathematical ability	As students experience success with small chunks of weekly work, their ability and confidence to do mathematics grows.
Poor attention	Simple black-and-white page layouts keep students focused on the tasks.
Unwilling or unable to write out complete solutions	Graphic organizers, problem templates, and adequate white space minimize the need for copying problems.
Different learning needs and strengths	Emphasis on representing mathematical ideas visually, numerically, symbolically, and verbally (the fourfold way) gives students multiple ways to communicate their mathematical knowledge. Repetitious and intermittent practice on highlighted skills offers students multiple opportunities to develop competency on skills essential to algebra.
Poor test-taking skills	Opportunities to practice test-taking in small doses (Test Preparation, Weekly Quizzes, Highlighted Review Quizzes), and at extended intervals (Periodic Assessments), give students multiple ways to practice test-taking skills and to show what they know.
Poor conversational or academic language skills	Weekly packets include Focus on Vocabulary activity. The Student Handbook is organized as a topical The glossary with diagrams and examples. Cooperative learning establishes a safe environment for practicing mathematical communication.

While Introduction to Algebra focuses on the needs of struggling students, some students will flourish and be ready for more challenging problems. To differentiate instruction, a weekly Knowledge Challenge is available in the Teacher Resource Binder, and the Teacher Resource Binder CD-ROM includes additional challenging problems.