I’ve seen cases made for pushing calculus to the more solid STEM side of things and making statistics more front-and-center for the average student, but how could one possibly argue against algebra? It’s the basis of all higher math. It also happens to be pretty damned easy.
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.
Actually, statistics are an example of applied math including Algebra.
Learning at least the minimum Algebra required in High School is very important to shaping thought process and world view.
I learned this the hard way when, in the spirit of the Turn On, Tune In, Drop Out generation, I blew Algebra off in high school.
I later learned the value of Algebra the hard way - by needing it and not having it.
It was a valuable lesson.
Every person should graduate with at least a basic introductory knowledge.
In our technology driven society, algebra and the thought process and world view it provides is the foundation everything technology is built on.