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 ...
Folks here complain enough about the H1 visas. The numbers would skyrocket if students did not learn algebra not that they are learning all that much now.
I have an 11 year old who is working from the local JC’s algebra book. She started when she was 7. It can be done.
A recent WSJ piece said that the US will have a math degree short fall of over a million in the next few years.
Maybe because that isn’t algebra?
Algebra isn’t that hard. The problem is that the vast majority of our teachers — even the ones teaching math — are clueless about algebra and how to help kids learn it.
The comment about conceptual thinking is dead on, but even more so. Master educator Michael Strong says that success in algebra requires ability in conceptual thinking as a prerequisite. Ability to think conceptually is a better predictor than great arithmetic skills for success in algebra. Furthermore, conceptual thinking can easily be taught through Socratic Practice, in-depth discussions of textual material in small groups.
His opinion on this is worth nothing. A US degree is already worth very little due to dumbing down so as to pass failing students.
Yeah, we see a lot of that nowadays.
>>Actually it is a means of separating out those who ought to go on to college and those who shouldn’t<<
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
A huge problem in society is the idea that everyone can and should go to college.
It’s why the millennials are up to their a$$es in debt without decent job prospects, even with a degree.
This is the problem that is the core of Bernie’s support from millennials according to my sources (i.e., college students who I asked).
Why have school at all? Just place training responsibilities onto the companies that want to hire. /sarcasm
I use it in my daily life as a stay at home mom, and I definitely used it as a software engineer.
There was a letter in the WSJ recently from a gentleman who runs a company who uses a lot of analysts. He says it is very difficult to find any applicants with much exposure to calculus let along fluent.
Nice logic there
They need to replace it with a course in the “history of homosexual art” or something like that... much more applicable in today’s USA.
I use algebra almost every day and trig at least once a week. A lot of people get by without it, but they’re mostly bloodsuckers.
Algebra separates the men from the boys, so to speak.
Just as Calculus does in college.
It is an educational learners permit.
It is also the basic ingredients of Newtonian mechanics.
Get rid of writing! I hate to write!
Actually, I wish engineers would be taught technical writing. It’s amazing how bad we are at writing!
Okay. Care to elaborate?
I think reading at a 6th grade level should be a priority in high school.
Wanna make a living on computers? Learn algebra.
If it’s hard - skip it!
(teachers union)
Naw, cursive writing gets ‘em.
Perhaps we could get more interest in algebra if we called it social justice mathematics or social justice algebra.
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