[wintertime]

Ah...I believe we are conflating two things here:

1) One one level do we **personally** feel this 14 year old should study algebra? I **personally** insisted that **my** children learned algebra. I **personally** think that those children who learn algebra have more options open to them in life.

But.....

2) Do we think the government should force this 14 year old to sit in a prison-like government building for four more years, strictly confined behind a desk, when this is against the will of her parents and the 14 year old herself?

[JenB]

No, but if her parents choose to have her schooled by the government they can darn well make sure she takes her algebra seriously. If they want to homeschool and eliminate the algebra that’s their choice. Otherwise she needs to shut up and do her homework. And complain to her parents, not a journalist. Even if the system is reformed it won’t be in time to help her so she’d better find an individual solution.

[Dianna]

2) Do we think the government should force this 14 year old to sit in a prison-like government building for four more years, strictly confined behind a desk, when this is against the will of her parents and the 14 year old herself?

Against the will of her parents? Oh, come on! If the parents wanted something different, they'd find something different.