Posted on 03/28/2016 5:07:09 PM PDT by Olog-hai
Who needs algebra?
That question muttered by many a frustrated student over the years has become a vigorous debate among American educators, sparked by a provocative new book that argues required algebra has become an unnecessary stumbling block that forces millions to drop out of high school or college.
“One out of 5 young Americans does not graduate from high school. This is one of the worst records in the developed world. Why? The chief academic reason is they failed ninth-grade algebra,” said political scientist Andrew Hacker, author of “The Math Myth and Other STEM Delusions.”
Hacker, a professor emeritus at Queens College, argues that, at most, only 5 percent of jobs make use of algebra and other advanced math courses. He favors a curriculum that focuses more on statistics and basic numbers sense and less on (y – 3)2 = 4y – 12.
“Will algebra help you understand the federal budget?” he asked. …
(Excerpt) Read more at bigstory.ap.org ...
Roooooll TIDE!
We homeschool and my oldest son just realized how many advanced math courses he’ll have to take in college for computer science. Thankfully, he’s made his way through Algebra I and II and is working on Geometry now with bits of Calculus mixed in. My oldest daughter would rather be called stupid for the rest of her life. She hates math even though she is good at it.
I have occasionally used algebra to solve simple problems, mostly relating to percent.
Solving (y-3)2=4y-12 for y is this person's notion of "advanced math"? It's something most kids used to learn to do by the 8th grade. I suppose that being able to read at above a picture book level will soon be redefined as "advanced literacy."
It is imperative that kids learn math. Teaches them to think logically and to work precisely. I take large issue with the Algebra texts these days, however. In an attempt to ‘make math relevant,’ they foreswear any memorization (’bad, boring’) and have word problems like: “If a sparrow weighing 3 oz carries a stick in its mouth that weighs .2 oz and flies over Mt. Everest (air density - .009 ppb) with a headwind (3 mph from the northeast), calculate its xx.
THIS is totally irrelevant in 8th grade. How about teaching the foundations and saving the fine-tuning for those who are entering engineering and science? Tutor/ teacher here.
“That’s not a benefit to minorities. It’s a bigoted attack on them. Bad enough these same leftists have destroyed the family so thoroughly among such minority enclaves.”
Exactly. The leftists and SJW think they are doing them a favor by making it easier to graduate HS. In reality they are locking them into low skill low paying jobs and reinforcing the notion that they dont have the mental capacity to succeed academically.
Perhaps the US needs more teachers who can actually teach?
Unfortunately, just look at what generations are now the teachers. Gen-X/Y/Z were not known for hard work or skull sweat, but slacking.
Well, there is that old saying, “Those who can, do. Those who can’t, teach.” Perhaps there is a lot of truth in that.
I toyed with the idea of putting 40+ years of engineering to use teaching after retiring. Quickly ran into the brick wall of endless credential requirements, union membership, etc. It was obvious the teaching “profession” wants a closed shop and outsiders that might actually contribute real world experience and relevance to the students are not welcome.
ROLL TIDE!!
Which is exactly why the left abhors it.
The only class I ever flunked in high school was geometry and boy did I catch hell for it. I told my mom that I would never need it when I grow up and I was right. I caught hell for nothing.........
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