I know several people who have MBA’s who never really took a college level math class. Accounting and stats, calculators and excel did all the work. I saw the beginnings of maths waning back in early 70’s, There were quite a few in HS who had graduated with a freshman Alegebra 1 part 1 and a biology. English was freshman grammer and then quarterly switching english classes and reading featured books such as humor, native, suspense, horror and writing reports. Nothing deep at all.
Standard STEM classes were offered of course, with hard curriculum but you were not obligated to take those, and the ones that took the lightweight path through High School in many cases went to VoTech in the afternoon.
It was kind of strange. I was busting butt, because I was an expat who was brought up through contracted schools staffed by Brits and Asians. They weren’t easy at all. Coming back to the states at my junior year was a culture shock. Hippie wannabes, slack standards and soccer was an afterschool club sport... no cricket either, darts clubs and archery were unheard of, but I digress.
I was fortunate to have been through a rigorous curriculum overseas prior to my Junior year. l reckon the country needed retail clerks, car salesmen, and civil service employee’s. It was weird and it’s only gotten worse with every school day being some fruity adventure and not studious application.
Standard STEM classes were offered of course, with hard curriculum but you were not obligated to take those, and the ones that took the lightweight path through High School in many cases went to VoTech in the afternoon.
....
These are exactly the people who should be going to tech.
I know a kid making 250k per year who uses his math skills in his business. Basic elementary math. And does very well. Not every one can conceptualize at a calculus abstract level. The key is to discover and use what you can.