“Instead of requiring Algebra, Geometry, etc., I’d like to see the same math covered but organized according to: Financial Investments, Real Estate, Business, Building & Construction, etc. If this girl (and many other students) were given examples of how math applies to her life, she might become interested.”
So funny!
In my job working with Special Ed. learning disabled students, I frequently teach “budgeting”...
I can’t tell you how many parents have asked me if I could help their other (non-special ed) child too!
Very sweet!
I had to take Algebra, Geometry, and Trig in High School. I swore up and down that I would never need a single one of them. After Machinist School I walked into my first job (as a Machinist), my boss handed me a steel plate that had three reference holes stamped into it.
I had to use the Algebra to calculate the correct feed and speed to bore the holes for a bolt pattern.
I had to use the Geometry to lay out he holes according to the blueprint.
I then had to use the Trig to determine the distance between the holes to measure them with my calipers
The point is that you have no idea what you are going to use as adult so you need a broad based liberal education combined with hands on technical classes to make you well rounded.
I believe you! Learning to manage a budget is an important and useful skill. More students would be interested in math if they studied it as it applies to their real lives.
One of my sons is a math whiz, but he detests the subject. He hates doing those boring exercises. He prefers the material presented in an interesting way. For example, he always enjoyed stories that teach math. Once I handed him a workbook on personal finance, and he loved it.
If you know any good, affordable books on that subject for the high school level, please feel free to recommend them. :-)