Algebra 2 Equivalent Courses

Math Pathways

The statewide network of ESCs, in partnership with the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, supports the implementation of Algebra 2 equivalent courses in high schools across Ohio including traditional school districts, community schools, non-public high schools, Career Technical Centers and Joint Vocational School districts, and designated STEM schools.

Project Overview

Traditional school districts, community schools, non-public high schools, Career Technical Centers and Joint Vocational School districts, and designated STEM schools continue to seek new ways to engage and re-engage students in relevant, meaningful, yet rigorous high school mathematics.

In an effort to strengthen high school mathematics attainment and pursuit of mathematics careers and postsecondary success, Ohio has developed, piloted, and is offering the following Algebra 2 equivalent courses: Advanced Quantitative Reasoning (formerly MMR), Data Science Foundations, and Discrete Math/Computer Science. These courses have been designed with a focus on equitable access, rigor, relevance, coherence and flexibility.

Coordination, implementation and monitoring is led by ESCs across the state with state leads for each Algebra 2 equivalent course pathway and a trained cadre of regional facilitators to support teachers in their first and second years of implementing Algebra 2 equivalent courses through training, coaching, and communities of practice.

Algebra 2 Equivalent Course Descriptions

Advanced Quantitative Reasoning (AQR) is the application of mathematics to the analysis and interpretation of real-world quantitative information, either in the context of a single discipline or interdisciplinary problems. AQR is designed to promote reasoning, problem-solving and modeling through thematic units focused on mathematical practices while reinforcing and extending content in number and quantity, algebra, functions, statistics, probability and geometry. The rigor of this course lies in the explanation and communication of mathematical concepts. It is a yearlong course taught using student-centered pedagogy.

Data Science Foundations (DSF) teaches students to reason with and think critically about data in all forms. Ohio’s Learning Standards for Mathematics relevant to data science are taught along with the data demands of good citizenship in the 21st century. Additionally, the course provides access to rigorous learning that fuses mathematics with computer science using online data analysis tools such as Google Spreadsheets and the Common Online Data Analysis Platform (CODAP). The students will also be introduced to data analysis using Python and R.

Discrete Math/Computer Science (DM/CS) is a third-year equivalent math course that builds upon concepts in algebra, geometry and probabilities and shows how these ideas apply to a digital world. DM/CS gives students exposure to computer science in a way that connects with advanced mathematics instruction. Through hands-on computer programming, students will actively engage with traditional subjects of Discrete Mathematics and function literacy.