Posted on 07/20/2016 12:30:30 PM PDT by MichCapCon
Michigan State University is the latest public university to tweak its general education curriculum, favoring quantitative courses over traditional math courses.
The math requirement can now be fulfilled by taking two “quantitative learning” classes as an alternative, though students can choose algebra and one quantitative course, the Lansing State Journal reports.
“The one-size-fits-all college algebra approach wasn’t working for all students,” Vince Melfi, an associate professor of statistics, told the Lansing State Journal.
Previously, MSU’s basic math graduation requirement for most students included an algebra class. Students could also test out of the requirement or use transfer credit.
MSU administrators argue that the quantitative learning courses will allow students to better understand math’s real-life functions.
“An important part of these courses is to go beyond just manipulating symbols on a page and coming up with the right answer, and to reflect on what those answers mean in a specific context,” Melfi said, according to Inside Higher Ed. For example, an understanding of probability would prepare students for daily tasks such as understanding a New York Times article on medicine, Inside Higher Ed notes.
“We’re trying to present mathematics in a way that makes it more accessible and understandable,” Melfi said. “Much of mathematics was developed in order to understand the real world. When students are encountering questions in their personal or professional lives, they should be thinking about mathematics and quantitative reasoning as tools they might use.”
Last month, Wayne State University dropped its university-wide mathematics requirement, and a committee proposed adding a required three-credit-hour diversity course to the general education curriculum.
The university cited adequate high school mathematics requirements as a reason for the curriculum change. "This decision was made largely because the current (math) requirement is at a level already required by most high school mathematics curriculum," WSU said.
According to Inside Higher Ed, Michigan State’s Provost Doug Estry said the change at his university will mostly affect students who take majors outside of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
Others noted that the new quantitative requirement might leave students ill-prepared if they take advanced math courses later in their college careers.
“There is some hazard of the student having gotten an inaccurate picture of what advanced mathematics might be like,” Thomas Barr of the American Mathematical Society, who supports MSU’s new policy, told Inside Higher Ed. “But that’s not a deep concern, because I believe the sort of student who wants to go on into advanced mathematics will recognize it early on. And if they really have an inclination for that, they’ll be able to deal with that transition.”
In the 2015-16 fiscal year, MSU received $268.3 million — 21.2 percent of its revenues — from Michigan taxpayers as state aid. Tuition for in-state undergraduate students is $14,880 in 2016-17, according to MSU’s financial aid office.
The university did not respond to a request for comment.
that’s just fine.
public universities are largely just baby sitting centres for rich spoiled brats to get indoctrinated by commies and IslamoNazi operatives. They can then go on the dole....and play computer games the rest of their lives in their mamas’ basements.
and
American businesses and industry will continue to import workers from Communist China and India who HAVE most of the college training needed to actually DO THE WORK
everyone ends up happy, right?
Why does a LBGT, women’s or black studies major need algebra? What they need is graphic arts to make cool posters.
Our son is a teachers aid at a state college out west. The class assignment was to “write two paragraphs and use proper punctuation and spelling”.
84% of the students failed.
I can count to 21 if I’m naked. Does that get me a masters?
Yes you do, if your servicing the robots that will soon be serving the crap!
Algebra was the only F I ever made in K-12 and college. It was in 11th grade. The big killer was my arthritic chicken scratch writing.
My sister thinks algebra, calc, trig and the like as comically simple and burns right through problems.
When it came to accounting, I was very good at working them. My sister would go into meltdowns sometimes.
X = 0
And she is right.
You should be commended for helping your daughter to reach this level.
College Engineering classes are tough!
Many trades require strong math skills. Would you want a carpenter who couldn’t do algebra?
Just outside of Pappeete Tahiti there is a school called the 2+2=4 school. The donor named it that way because he wanted the graduates to at least know one thing for sure. True.
Pies are round.
So the kiddies all went to college and a real high percentage are so bad in math that they can't factor a quadratic unless it's a group exercise with a multiple choice answer.
What's the least logical answer? Rather than getting high schools back to teaching functional math, for college and non-college tracts, drop the math requirement all together.
It's an Alice in Wonderland world, folks. Crazy assumptions lead you down the path to crazy conclusions.
Many don’t
Back when I took College Algebra, it was like HS Algebra II.
The university cited adequate high school mathematics requirements as a reason for the curriculum change. “This decision was made largely because the current (math) requirement is at a level already required by most high school mathematics curriculum,” WSU said.
I don’t think so. Colleges have been saying incoming freshmen are ill prepared for college and need remedial work in math.
I don’t use trig or calculus every day, but it seems that I use algebra every day. I think algebraically I guess. Had a great algebra teacher in seventh grade accelerated math back in ‘60. Never took algebra again and it is still stuck somewhere in the back of my head. Calculus, not so much.
I actually think tradesmen (welders, carpenters, masons etc) have an instinctive understanding of math already. A house framer knows a heck of a lot more about algebra than a lawyer or doctor.
They just don't give it a fancy name.
The world needs ditchdiggers too.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.