The primary purpose of the Algebra Foundations course is to promote opportunities for deep understanding of core algebraic concepts to develop algebraic thinkers. The course is composed of 5 topics: Operating with Rational Numbers, Expressions and Equations, Developing Function Foundations, Modeling Linear Equations, and Quadratics. Throughout these topics, students have the opportunity to develop foundational understandings and draw connections to key concepts.

This course is intended to strengthen foundational conceptual understandings from middle school math through Algebra I and is designed to be flexible in meeting the needs of students. Your individual course is created based solely on data that suggests which topics will best develop your students as algebraic thinkers. Each learning session is designed to further develop a skill, and together, these sessions connect skills and concepts to key algebraic understandings. The student learning experience of the Algebra Foundations course promotes conceptual understanding through a focus on active learning and making sense of the mathematics.

In this course, students will build understanding of the following modules: Exploring Patterns in Linear and Quadratic Relationships, Analyzing Structure, Developing Structural Similarities, Extending Beyond Polynomials, and Inverting Functions.

Each module is broken up into topics where you will find teacher materials to guide the instruction and the student materials both used in the classroom for learning together and learning individually.

The agency developed these learning resources as a contingency option for school districts during COVID. All resources are optional. Prior to publication, materials go through a rigorous third-party review. Review criteria include TEKS alignment, support for all learners, progress monitoring, implementation supports, and more. Products also are subject to a focus group of Texas educators. 

Precalculus is the preparation for calculus. The course approaches is designed to strengthen and enhance conceptual understanding and mathematical reasoning used when modeling and solving mathematical and real-world problems. Students systematically work with functions and their multiple representations. Precalculus can deepen students' mathematical understanding and fluency with algebra and trigonometry and extends their ability to make connections and apply concepts and procedures at higher levels. Students will investigate and explore mathematical ideas, develop multiple strategies for analyzing complex situations, and use technology to build understanding, make connections between representations, and provide support in solving problems (TAC §111.42(b)(3)).

This video book is brought to you by TEA and Study Edge. It may be used to teach an entire Precalculus course or to supplement traditional Precalculus textbooks.

This open-education-resource instructional material by TEA is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Public License in accordance with Chapter 31 of the Texas Education Code.

Please provide feedback on Study Edge's open-education resource instructional materials.