ALEKS K-12 Course Recommendations
Review ALEKS K‑12 course recommendations based on grade and instructional needs.
- Customer Support
- PreK-12
- Classroom Teacher
- School Administrator
- Elementary School
- Middle School
- High School
- Direct Login & Auto-Rostering
- Direct Login & Manual-Rostering
- SSO & Auto-Rostering
- SSO & Manual-Rostering
- Supplemental
- Math
- ALEKS
- ALEKS Adventure
- Class Management
Refer to these guidelines when selecting an ALEKS® or ALEKS® Adventure course for students. Schools, classes, or students with unique needs may fall outside these guidelines.
Article Contents
Recommended Course(s) by Grade Band
Guidelines for Moving Students Up or Down
Quick Reminders for Success
Most students can be successful in the on-grade level ALEKS course.
The on-grade level course is recommended for most students, even those with gaps. These courses contain standard-aligned grade-level topics and built-in essential prerequisite topics from prior grade levels, allowing students to fill in their unique gaps from prior grades and access on-grade level topics they are ready to learn.
The approaching grade level course, available for select grades and courses, is recommended for students significantly below grade level who have low math confidence. These courses are comprised entirely of prerequisite topics for the corresponding on-grade level course.
ALEKS courses automatically align content to your state math standards.
In all 50 states, ALEKS and ALEKS Adventure automatically pre-select course content to align with state standards and provide detailed progress reporting by strand, standard, and skill. This applies to most on-grade and approaching grade level courses. See the next page for exceptions.
Recommended Course(s) by Grade Band
Grade |
On-Grade Level Course(s) |
Approaching Grade Level Course(s) |
|---|---|---|
Grade K |
ALEKS Adventure Grade K |
Elementary school courses contain grade-level topics and essential prerequisite topics from prior grade level courses in the sequence.
The recommended course for elementary school students who are approaching grade level is the on-grade level course. |
Grade 1 |
ALEKS Adventure Grade 1 |
|
Grade 2 |
ALEKS Adventure Grade 2 |
|
Grade 3 |
ALEKS Adventure Grade 3 |
|
Grade 4 |
ALEKS Adventure Grade 4 |
|
Grade 5 |
ALEKS Adventure Grade 5 |
Grade/Course |
On-Grade Level Course(s) |
Approaching Grade Level Course(s) |
|---|---|---|
Grade 6 |
Middle School Math Course 1 |
Middle School Math Course 1 Foundations/Rtl 6 |
Grade 7 |
Middle Course Math Course 2 |
Middle School Math Course 2 Foundations/Rtl 7 |
Grade 8 |
Middle School Math Course 3 |
Middle School Course 3 Foundations/Rtl 8 |
Pre-Algebra |
Pre-Algebra |
|
Algebra 1 (8th grade) |
Algebra 1and Prep for Algebra 1 Combined** Algebra 1 |
|
**Recommended when coverage of 8th grade math standards and algebra standards is needed.
Course |
On-Grade Level Course(s) |
Approaching Grade Level Course(s) |
|---|---|---|
Algebra 1 |
Algebra 1and Prep for Algebra 1 Combined Algebra 1 |
High School Preparation for Algebra 1 |
Geometry |
High School Geometry |
Preparation for High School Geometry |
Algebra 2 |
Algebra 2 |
Preparation for Algebra 2 |
Integrated Math I |
Integrated Mathematics I |
Preparation for Integrated Mathematics |
Integrated Math II |
Integrated Mathematics II |
Preparation for Integrated Mathematics |
Integrated Math III |
Integrated Mathematics III |
Preparation for Integrated Mathematics |
Trigonometry |
Trigonometry1 |
|
Precalculus |
Precalculus |
|
Calculus |
Calculus2 |
|
Statistics |
Introduction to Statistics3 |
|
Test Prep |
Mastery of SAT Math4 Mastery of ACT Math 4 Prep for GED Mathematics4 |
|
1Trigonometry: State standards reporting available for IN and VA only.
2Calculus: Content alignment and reporting for AP Calculus AB Course and Exam Description available.
3Introduction to Statistics: State standards reporting available for IA, MD, OK, SC, TX, TN, VA, and WV only.
4Test prep courses do not provide state standards alignment or reporting.
Course Descriptions
Course |
Description |
|---|---|
ALEKS Adventure Grade K |
Provides comprehensive state standards coverage of corresponding grade level math |
ALEKS Adventure Grade 1 |
|
ALEKS Adventure Grade 2 |
|
ALEKS Adventure Grade 3 |
|
ALEKS Adventure Grade 4 |
|
ALEKS Adventure Grade 5 |
Course |
Description |
|---|---|
Middle School Math Course 1 Foundations/Rtl 6 |
Provides state standards coverage of prior grade levels that help prepare students for grade 6 math |
Middle School Math Course 1/LV 6 |
Provides comprehensive state standards coverage of grade 6 math and its prerequisites |
Middle School Math Course 2 Foundations/Rtl 7 |
Provides state standards coverage of prior grade levels that help prepare students for grade 7 math |
Middle School Math Course 2 |
Provides comprehensive state standards coverage of grade 7 math and its prerequisites |
Middle School Math Course 3 Foundations/Rtl 8 |
Provides state standards coverage of prior grade levels that help prepare students for grade 8 math |
Middle School Math Course 3 |
Provides comprehensive state standards coverage of grade 8 math and its prerequisites |
Pre-Algebra |
Provides standards-based coverage of all of grade 8 math, including a robust introduction to the basic concepts of algebra and its prerequisites |
Algebra 1 and Prep for Algebra 1 Combined |
Covers grade 8 and Algebra 1 state standards with built-in prerequisite support. Ideal for accelerated grade 8 courses or Algebra 1 students needing additional reinforcement. |
Algebra 1 |
Provides comprehensive state standards coverage of Algebra 1 and its prerequisites |
Course |
Description |
|---|---|
High School Preparation for Algebra 1 |
Provides state standards coverage of prior grade levels that help prepare students for Algebra 1 |
Algebra 1 and Prep for Algebra 1 Combined |
Covers grade 8 and Algebra 1 state standards with prerequisite topics for added support. Perfect for accelerated grade 8 courses or Algebra 1 students needing foundational reinforcement. |
Algebra 1 |
Provides comprehensive state standards coverage of Algebra 1 and its prerequisites |
Algebra 1A |
Covers algebra concepts and Algebra 1 prerequisites for the first semester. Use it as part of a two-semester sequence or as a standalone year-long course to build the skills students need for higher-level algebra. |
Algebra 1B |
Covers algebra concepts and Algebra 1 prerequisites for the second semester. Use it as part of a two-semester sequence or as a standalone year-long course to build the skills students need for higher-level algebra. |
Preparation for High School Geometry |
Provides state standards coverage of prior grade levels that help prepare students for high school geometry |
High School Geometry |
Provides comprehensive state standards coverage of high school geometry and its prerequisites |
Preparation for Algebra 2 |
Provides state standards coverage of prior grade levels that help prepare students for Algebra 2 |
Algebra 2 |
Provides robust state standards coverage of Algebra 2, including trigonometry strand of standards |
Preparation for Integrated Mathematics |
Provides state standards coverage of prior grade levels that help prepare students for Integrated Math 1 |
Integrated Mathematics I |
Covers algebra, linear and exponential functions, sequences, systems of equations, descriptive statistics, and introductory geometry with comprehensive, standards-based instruction. |
Integrated Mathematics II |
Covers quadratic functions, probability, advanced geometry, and introductory trigonometry with comprehensive, standards-based instruction. |
Integrated Mathematics III |
Covers advanced algebra and functions (including radicals, rational expressions, polynomial, and logarithmic functions, sequences and series), trigonometry, and probability with comprehensive, standards-based instruction. |
Precalculus |
Focuses on advanced algebra and functions, including radicals, rational expressions, polynomial and logarithmic functions, and sequences and series, alongside trigonometry and probability, with comprehensive, standards-based coverage. |
Trigonometry |
Provides focused coverage of trigonometry and its prerequisites |
Introduction to Statistics |
Covers elementary probability and algebra-based statistics, including probability distributions, regression, experimental design, confidence intervals, and hypothesis testing, with full prerequisite support. |
Calculus |
Covers single-variable differentiation and integration, building on algebra, geometry, and trigonometry to guide students through limits, derivatives, and integrals and their applications. |
Mastery of SAT Math |
Prepares students for the math sections of the SAT using ALEKS individualized assessment to efficiently refresh skills and fill knowledge gaps. Works best when paired with SAT practice tests to build familiarity with test format and question style. |
Mastery of ACT Math |
Prepares students for the ACT Mathematics Test using ALEKS individualized assessment to efficiently refresh skills and fill knowledge gaps. Works best when paired with ACT practice tests to build familiarity with test format and question style. |
Guidelines for Moving Students Up or Down
When to use the approaching grade level course (middle and high school)
Consider these guidelines if you’re unsure whether students should use the approaching grade level course or the on-grade level course:
- If ALEKS will be used to deliver non-adaptive assignments (Homework, Test, Quiz) in the on-grade level course, place all students in the on-grade level course so they can access those assignments.
- If ALEKS will not be used to deliver non-adaptive assignments (Homework, Test, Quiz) in the on-grade level course:
- Does not require a separate assessment in addition to the Initial Knowledge Check: Start students in the on-grade level course with the Initial Knowledge Check. If a student scores below 10% and demonstrates low math confidence, move them to the approaching grade level course.
- Requires a separate assessment in addition to the Initial Knowledge Check: Start students in the on-grade level course and enable the Course Placement Check — a ~15-question assessment that recommends whether each student should stay, move to a lower, or advance to a higher course.
Resources:
When to advance students to a higher course
- Students working in an approaching grade level course (e.g., courses titled with “Preparation” or “Foundations”) are not required to reach 100% completion. Once a student reaches approximately 75% Pie Progress, consider transitioning them to the on-grade-level course. Any progress earned in the below-grade-level course will automatically carry over to the corresponding on-grade-level course.
- Students working in an on-grade level course should reach 100% Pie Progress before moving to the next (higher) course. They may also stay in their current course and review topics for further practice and reinforcement.
Note: ALEKS and ALEKS Adventure do not automatically move students into a higher or lower course. Administrators or teachers can move students into a higher or lower course by creating a sub-class and moving the students to that sub-class in the class roster.