Here is a story of two young men of my acquaintance, both products of the California public schools.

Both enrolled in algebra in the eighth grade.

One, perhaps because of an innate aptitude for math or perhaps because of the skill of his sixth- and seventh-grade math teachers, fared well. The class became the gateway for higher-level mathematics, progressing ultimately to calculus and beyond.

The other, although cautioned that he might not be quite prepared for eighth-grade algebra, decided to take on the challenge. He failed the course, but used it as a kind of hard-knocks preparation-for-algebra class for which he got a ton of frustration and no credit. The next year, in the ninth grade, he took the course again and excelled.

From these experiences, this is my conclusion: Some students are ready to take algebra in the eighth grade, while others need another year of development and preparation.

Now, I'm just a dad and have an admittedly small sample of personal experiences upon which to base this opinion. But the evidence is that my own very limited qualifications are superior to those of the majority of the state Board of Education.

Last week, acting hastily and without the benefit of research data to justify the decision, the board voted to require that all eighth-graders be enrolled in algebra beginning in three years.

The board took this action after being informed of a severe shortage of qualified mathematics teachers, without any notion of how to design or pay for improved mathematics preparation in the sixth and seventh grades, and despite the recommendations of its professional staff at the Department of Education.

It also took this action with full knowledge that California schools have made tremendous progress in expanding algebra instruction to eighth-graders in the absence of a hard mandate. Since 2003, because of state curriculum standards and an accountability system that encourages schools to direct every student capable of succeeding into algebra, the percentage of eighth-graders taking algebra rose from 34 percent to 52 percent. Nationwide, only 30 percent of eighth-graders take the class.

From all indications, the board acted largely because of an eleventh-hour marching order from Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who wrote a letter to board President Theodore Mitchell on the eve of the board's vote saying that the decision represented "a choice between California's bold future and a status quo that is safe, mediocre and unacceptable."

So the board members puffed out their chests and laid down the law, making no exceptions even for special-education students.

The decision has flabbergasted people who are on the ground in the state's schools, the people who have actual knowledge of actual students and their level of preparedness.

"It defies belief and common sense," said Paul Chatman of Oxnard, president of the California School Boards Association.

Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell says his reaction to the board's vote was "total disbelief."

O'Connell told me this week that he has received more response from teachers, principals and school board members on this issue than any other in his six years as state superintendent.

"I talked to a teacher the other day who wanted to know whether the board's next mandate would be to require that every infant walk by age 6 months," he said. "The callers are 100 percent outraged. Most are in disbelief."

The issue has nothing to do with whether the state would have otherwise retreated on its commitment to high academic standards. Algebra has been and remains a high school graduation requirement. O'Connell says he would like to see additional algebra concepts added to the high school exit exam.

The issue was simply this: Is every child ready for the class at age 13, or do some need additional preparation so that they can take it instead at 14?

David Long, Schwarzenegger's secretary of education, testified that it will cost billions more every year to provide schools with the resources to prepare all seventh-graders. In his letter, the governor said he is committed to "expanding the resources necessary to achieve the standards of excellence California deserves."

But this is the same governor who is promoting a plan to restrict future increases in state spending, a plan that would largely lock in the state's paltry level of school funding.

Requiring all kids to take algebra at 13, without individually assessing whether they are ready, is to set up many of them for failure, O'Connell said.

"Is the goal here just to warehouse kids in algebra classes?" he asked. "This was not thought through."

— Timm Herdt is chief of The Star's state bureau. Read his political blog "95 percent accurate*" at http://www.TimmHerdt.com.