AUGUSTA (AP) – Maine’s Education Department says 50 mostly rural schools in the state are participating in an online algebra research study.

The three-year, federally funded study is to see whether improving access to algebra I for eighth-graders through the use of an online course benefits student math achievement.

The Pathways to Math Achievement Study provides an online algebra I course to schools that do not offer algebra to their eighth-grade students. Eighth-graders identified as ready to take the course are receiving the online instruction, and researchers will track achievement.

Twenty schools in Vermont are also participating in the study.