Ellis is a ninth-grade student who started behind by several grade levels in math when she began taking algebra at Joliet Central. [...] a support class taught by ninth-grade teacher Israel Velazquez using a computer system to track student progress helped her get to where she needed to be. Students use the computers to access a program called Renaissance Math, which assesses where each one is at in his or her math ability and helps them progress with problems, tests and videos. Velazquez, a former accountant and Chicago middle-school teacher, said the support class tries to meet each student's ability level and bring them as close to the ninth-grade level as possible. Joliet Township High School District 204 implemented its accelerated math support class last school year to bridge the gap in the math skills of freshmen who come to the high schools. The goal is not only to bring students to the right math level, but to also make them college ready. The computer system updates Velazquez on student progress and signals when he might need to intervene. Velazquez said he also is trying to teach his students not to always ask for teacher help when encountering an issue.