In my several years of math teaching — basic to Trig. I found that geometry was the line class. Algebra can be done with “turn and crank” thinking, geometry (proofs) take more abstraction.
In my own case, I stumbled through algebra and in geometry I found that I could see the solution far easier than some classmates. I also saw that some teachers did not “see” enough of the problem to help the student who was asking a question. That led me to consider teaching.
But as far as race — I was color blind. I taught the facts of math to everyone. I tried to see the hang up that was keeping some students from “getting it”. But there is nothing racial in math.
Look for the problem in the background classes. Help the students who are in crummy schools and get rid of math teachers who have trouble themselves with math.
The hardest thing for a math teacher to hear is “I hated math, it was my hardest subject”.
Exactly. The Left is making excuses for the poor performance at their schools.
Most students can excel in math, but they're bored by it. They can't see how math applies to their lives.
Plus, math requires lots of practice. Most students don't want to do all that boring math homework.
That's what's really going on.
For the record, I'm not saying that math is boring. I used to think so. But, late in life, I realized math is enjoyable. It's like solving brainteasers and puzzles.
But, many young people don't enjoy it.
I have an old 8th grade math book from the 1950’s.
It was all about practical math. How to balance your checkbook. How to create an invoice. How to calculate a sales discount (”20% off of 15.98”). How to use scale on a map. Heavy emphasis on word problems.
We should go back to that. Elementary school match should be oriented around teaching kids arithmetic and the math they use in daily life. Leave the arcane aspects for high school or college.