Mathematics, grade 8 standards are made up of five strands: Number Sense; Computation; Algebra and Functions; Geometry and Measurement; and Data Analysis, Statistics, and Probability. The skills listed in each strand indicate what students in grade 8 should know and be able to do in Mathematics. Grade 8 continues the trajectory towards a more formalized understanding of mathematics that occurs at the high school level that was started in grades 6 and 7. Students extend their understanding of rational numbers to develop an understanding of irrational numbers; connect ratio and proportional reasoning to lines and linear functions; define, evaluate, compare, and model with functions; build understanding of congruence and similarity; understand and apply the Pythagorean Theorem; and extend their understanding of statistics and probability by investigating patterns of association in bivariate data. Using the Process Standards for Mathematics in a planned and deliberate method to present the mathematics content standards will prescribe that students experience mathematics as a coherent, useful, and logical subject that makes use of their ability to make sense of the mathematics. Along with the current academic standards, the Science/Technical Studies Content Area Literacy Standards are incorporated in the teaching of this subject with the expectation of a continuum of reading and writing skills development.

In Math 8/Pre-Algebra, instructional time will focus on three critical areas:
(1) understanding the difference between rational and irrational numbers along with computing fluently with rational numbers in multi-step problems; (2) formulating and reasoning about expressions and equations, including modeling an association in bivariate data with a linear equation and solving linear equations and systems of linear equations;
(3) grasping the concept of a function and using functions to describe quantitative relationships; and
(4) analyzing attributes of three-dimensional figures, finding volumes, understanding the impact of transformation on two-dimensional shapes and understanding and applying the Pythagorean Theorem.