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California Gives Up On Math: State will no longer require eighth-graders to take algebra
http://gopthedailydose.com ^ | february 8, 2013 | robby soave

Posted on 02/08/2013 9:08:51 AM PST by lowbridge

California will no longer require eighth-graders to take algebra —a move that is line with the Common Core standards being adopted by most states, but that may leave students unprepared for college.

Last month, California formally shifted to the Common Core mathematics standards, which recommend that students delay taking algebra if they aren’t ready for it. Previously, algebra class was a requirement for all eighth-graders in the state.

The Common Core State Standards Initiative, which is sponsored by the National Governor’s Association, is an effort to unify diverse state education curricula. Forty-five other states and the District of Columbia have signed on so far.

But some education experts worry that the change will further damage struggling students’ college chances, since early proficiency in Algebra I is an excellent predictor of college graduation, according to the Mercury News.

(Excerpt) Read more at gopthedailydose.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events; US: California
KEYWORDS: agenda21; algebra; california; commoncore
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To: lowbridge

Another elephant in the room is that California passed a law requiring that homosexual history be taught. So, we are dropping a useful subject such as algebra, but requiring useless teaching to honor Harvey Milk and others for their alleged contributions to our civilization. Go figure.


41 posted on 02/08/2013 9:44:28 AM PST by Dilbert San Diego
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To: muawiyah

My Brother in Law was the Defensive Captain on the U Mass Landrey team has an MS in Bio Chemistry.


42 posted on 02/08/2013 9:48:39 AM PST by Little Bill (A)
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To: bravo whiskey

...even with the helop of teachers and my dad.

I’m glad you overcame math, how were you in spelling?


43 posted on 02/08/2013 9:53:56 AM PST by stars & stripes forever ((Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord!))
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To: sitetest

Why are you trying to make points with facts and reason? Don’t you know we’re just supposed to make fun of brown people?


44 posted on 02/08/2013 9:54:53 AM PST by SoothingDave
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To: lowbridge

Even California students need basic math.

“If you have 3 tacos, 1 stolen handgun with 2 magazines and 5 crack rocks how many things do you have?”


45 posted on 02/08/2013 9:55:12 AM PST by Iron Munro (I Miss America, don't you?)
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To: Francis McClobber

The world needs ditch-diggers, too.


46 posted on 02/08/2013 9:55:55 AM PST by dfwgator
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To: sitetest

Just because some kids cannot do algebra doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be offered to kids who can.

One big problem with American education after about eighth grade is this “one size fits all” mentality, agreed. If we were to sort kids by ability around eighth grade like most countries do, the racial disparities in the results would be politically unpalatable. So we put black and Hispanic kids into classes they cannot handle, and all this accomplishes is that they successfully disrupt the education of the kids who can learn. Everyone loses, no one wins.

Nice.


47 posted on 02/08/2013 9:58:26 AM PST by Lonesome in Massachussets (What word begins with "O" and ends in economic collapse?)
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To: sitetest; Jim Robinson
I absolutely agree with you.

No one with lower abilities should be forced to sit through algebra.

When I was a kid we had choices in math.

The college bound had one of several levels of algebra.

The trades had business maths

and there was a general math for laborers which was a review of the previous nine years of math.

The racism of the thread is snarky.

There are a lot of contributing factors to blacks doing poorly in math.

none that we are going to fix here.

I have four black children. Three of them have done very well, two with calculus, one was considering physics but hit her wall there, as often GIRLS do.

The third will probably get through 1&2 and trig, but has no interest in going further.

The fourth is a computer, until algebra. Too abstract for those abilities.

So what?

Not everyone is a rocket scientist.

Not everyone is an abstract thinker.

One of the real downfalls of leftists is that they think that every one is like them.

What has been refreshing about conservatives has been their clearheadedness about these issues.

People are different. We don't have to insult them.

48 posted on 02/08/2013 9:58:47 AM PST by Chickensoup (200 million unarmed people killed in the 20th century by Leftist Totalitarian Fascists)
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To: lowbridge

I don’t see the big deal about this. I was always good in math, but didn’t take algebra until the 9th grade. My high school math education (in the 70’s):

9th grade: algebra I
10th grade: geometry
11th grade: algebra II
12th grade: trigonometry (purely as an elective, no math required after successfully completing the preceding three years)

I made straight A’s in all math classes, and they were labeled as “enriched” classes - we didn’t have AP classes back then that would count towards college credit — we had to take tests instead. I took the test and placed out of both semesters of college algebra, went straight to calculus and made A’s as well.

As long as algebra is still available for those that want to take it in the 8th grade, this is much ado about nothing. I will say that my 8th grade math class was a waste of time, and I should have skipped it and started in on algebra I instead.


49 posted on 02/08/2013 10:04:29 AM PST by RedWhiteBlue (Mama tried)
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To: BobL
“This is clearly cultural insensitivity towards Arabs.”

Actually, no, it doesn’t affect them.

Paladin2 was being facetious; Arabs are often credited with developing algebra. That having been said, you make some good observations. I'm happy to be able to put my child in a private (and Christian) school.

50 posted on 02/08/2013 10:05:49 AM PST by MissNomer
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To: lowbridge

Teaching Math In 1950
A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production
is 4/5 of the price. What is his profit?

Teaching Math In 1960
A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production
is 4/5 of the price, or $80. What is his profit?

Teaching Math In 1970
A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production
is $80. Did he make a profit?

Teaching Math In 1980
A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production
is $80 and his profit is $20. Your assignment: Underline the number 20.

Teaching Math In 1990
A logger cuts down a beautiful forest because he is selfish and inconsiderate and cares nothing for the habitat of animals or the preservation of our woodlands. He does this so he can make a profit of $20. What do you think of this way of making a living? Topic for class participation after answering the question: How did the birds and squirrels feel as the logger cut down their homes? (There are no wrong answers.)

Teaching Math In 2005
Un hachero vende una carretada de madera para $100. El costo de la
producción-——


51 posted on 02/08/2013 10:06:18 AM PST by dfwgator
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To: lowbridge

Old School Math,

Bunker Style:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=da0eaiZ0CKw


52 posted on 02/08/2013 10:08:13 AM PST by Zeneta (No eternal reward will forgive us now for wasting the dawn.)
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To: lowbridge

Did this requirement come along after I went through school? I didn’t take algebra until I was a freshman in high school.


53 posted on 02/08/2013 10:12:10 AM PST by ZirconEncrustedTweezers (Taking away guns will do nothing to stop violence.)
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To: dfwgator

.............Teaching Math In 1990
A logger cuts down a beautiful forest because he is selfish and inconsiderate and cares nothing for the habitat of animals or the preservation of our woodlands. He does this so he can make a profit of $20. What do you think of this way of making a living? Topic for class participation after answering the question: How did the birds and squirrels feel as the logger cut down their homes? (There are no wrong answers.)...............


Actually teaching since the 1990s goes further.

The assignment is; Find someone else in class that agrees with you, so we can discuss the impact on the environment.


54 posted on 02/08/2013 10:14:04 AM PST by Zeneta (No eternal reward will forgive us now for wasting the dawn.)
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To: dfwgator

Among other jobs, I dug ditches while working my way through college. I earned a degree as a software engineer and had to take calculus to earn my degree. My high school algebra did little to aid me in either profession.


55 posted on 02/08/2013 10:16:10 AM PST by Francis McClobber
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To: muawiyah

Right, because being able to communicate is no indicator of intelligence.....I stick by my opinion.


56 posted on 02/08/2013 10:18:58 AM PST by WhyisaTexasgirlinPA (In my world, Daddys don't leave after 4 or 8 years and a new one get picked by half the country)
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To: Little Bill

Did he ever do a post-game interview?


57 posted on 02/08/2013 10:20:56 AM PST by Ingtar (Everyone complains about the weather, but only Liberals try to legislate it.)
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To: lowbridge
Algebra is the first step into abstract mathematics which is reasoning. And, if one reasons too much he or she may decide that the state over reaches, and...
that these are still necessary for college.

What a dilemma for the left.

58 posted on 02/08/2013 10:22:14 AM PST by onedoug
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To: lowbridge

Comrades, kids don’t need education to work on a state collective farm.


59 posted on 02/08/2013 10:22:14 AM PST by TexasRepublic (Socialism is the gospel of envy and the religion of thieves)
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To: lowbridge

Algebra teaches logical reasoning which is why they want to drop it.

Socialism requires emotion, not logic.


60 posted on 02/08/2013 10:27:12 AM PST by donna (Pray for revival.)
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