eloi: as educators we have created standards. whether or not that makes sense, we have created them. algebra is the primary, essentially the killing fields for students of color in higher education. if there is an area of emphasis, study after study shows, if a student does not master algebra two in elementary school, in high school, their chances of succeeding in higher education are probably less than 10%. it is literally the biggest barrier to quality credential of anything else. certainly language skills, vocabulary, and as long as algebra is a gateway to a college credential we need to focus on it. bonnie: i will pick up on that with you. i remember when i have the privilege of working with arnold and danny and starting out of the l.a. afterschool program in middle schools, is that we also heard the importance of algebra. especially middle school, it has to be fun or the kids will not stay. there not required to be there. i remember learning how afterschool programs use quote disguised learning." they would use a cooking cla