Posted on 02/08/2013 9:08:51 AM PST by lowbridge
California will no longer require eighth-graders to take algebra —a move that is line with the Common Core standards being adopted by most states, but that may leave students unprepared for college.
Last month, California formally shifted to the Common Core mathematics standards, which recommend that students delay taking algebra if they aren’t ready for it. Previously, algebra class was a requirement for all eighth-graders in the state.
The Common Core State Standards Initiative, which is sponsored by the National Governor’s Association, is an effort to unify diverse state education curricula. Forty-five other states and the District of Columbia have signed on so far.
But some education experts worry that the change will further damage struggling students’ college chances, since early proficiency in Algebra I is an excellent predictor of college graduation, according to the Mercury News.
(Excerpt) Read more at gopthedailydose.com ...
Another elephant in the room is that California passed a law requiring that homosexual history be taught. So, we are dropping a useful subject such as algebra, but requiring useless teaching to honor Harvey Milk and others for their alleged contributions to our civilization. Go figure.
My Brother in Law was the Defensive Captain on the U Mass Landrey team has an MS in Bio Chemistry.
...even with the helop of teachers and my dad.
I’m glad you overcame math, how were you in spelling?
Why are you trying to make points with facts and reason? Don’t you know we’re just supposed to make fun of brown people?
Even California students need basic math.
“If you have 3 tacos, 1 stolen handgun with 2 magazines and 5 crack rocks how many things do you have?”
The world needs ditch-diggers, too.
Just because some kids cannot do algebra doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be offered to kids who can.
One big problem with American education after about eighth grade is this “one size fits all” mentality, agreed. If we were to sort kids by ability around eighth grade like most countries do, the racial disparities in the results would be politically unpalatable. So we put black and Hispanic kids into classes they cannot handle, and all this accomplishes is that they successfully disrupt the education of the kids who can learn. Everyone loses, no one wins.
Nice.
No one with lower abilities should be forced to sit through algebra.
When I was a kid we had choices in math.
The college bound had one of several levels of algebra.
The trades had business maths
and there was a general math for laborers which was a review of the previous nine years of math.
The racism of the thread is snarky.
There are a lot of contributing factors to blacks doing poorly in math.
none that we are going to fix here.
I have four black children. Three of them have done very well, two with calculus, one was considering physics but hit her wall there, as often GIRLS do.
The third will probably get through 1&2 and trig, but has no interest in going further.
The fourth is a computer, until algebra. Too abstract for those abilities.
So what?
Not everyone is a rocket scientist.
Not everyone is an abstract thinker.
One of the real downfalls of leftists is that they think that every one is like them.
What has been refreshing about conservatives has been their clearheadedness about these issues.
People are different. We don't have to insult them.
I don’t see the big deal about this. I was always good in math, but didn’t take algebra until the 9th grade. My high school math education (in the 70’s):
9th grade: algebra I
10th grade: geometry
11th grade: algebra II
12th grade: trigonometry (purely as an elective, no math required after successfully completing the preceding three years)
I made straight A’s in all math classes, and they were labeled as “enriched” classes - we didn’t have AP classes back then that would count towards college credit — we had to take tests instead. I took the test and placed out of both semesters of college algebra, went straight to calculus and made A’s as well.
As long as algebra is still available for those that want to take it in the 8th grade, this is much ado about nothing. I will say that my 8th grade math class was a waste of time, and I should have skipped it and started in on algebra I instead.
Actually, no, it doesn’t affect them.
Paladin2 was being facetious; Arabs are often credited with developing algebra. That having been said, you make some good observations. I'm happy to be able to put my child in a private (and Christian) school.
Teaching Math In 1950
A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production
is 4/5 of the price. What is his profit?
Teaching Math In 1960
A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production
is 4/5 of the price, or $80. What is his profit?
Teaching Math In 1970
A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production
is $80. Did he make a profit?
Teaching Math In 1980
A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production
is $80 and his profit is $20. Your assignment: Underline the number 20.
Teaching Math In 1990
A logger cuts down a beautiful forest because he is selfish and inconsiderate and cares nothing for the habitat of animals or the preservation of our woodlands. He does this so he can make a profit of $20. What do you think of this way of making a living? Topic for class participation after answering the question: How did the birds and squirrels feel as the logger cut down their homes? (There are no wrong answers.)
Teaching Math In 2005
Un hachero vende una carretada de madera para $100. El costo de la
producción-——
Did this requirement come along after I went through school? I didn’t take algebra until I was a freshman in high school.
.............Teaching Math In 1990
A logger cuts down a beautiful forest because he is selfish and inconsiderate and cares nothing for the habitat of animals or the preservation of our woodlands. He does this so he can make a profit of $20. What do you think of this way of making a living? Topic for class participation after answering the question: How did the birds and squirrels feel as the logger cut down their homes? (There are no wrong answers.)...............
Actually teaching since the 1990s goes further.
The assignment is; Find someone else in class that agrees with you, so we can discuss the impact on the environment.
Among other jobs, I dug ditches while working my way through college. I earned a degree as a software engineer and had to take calculus to earn my degree. My high school algebra did little to aid me in either profession.
Right, because being able to communicate is no indicator of intelligence.....I stick by my opinion.
Did he ever do a post-game interview?
What a dilemma for the left.
Comrades, kids don’t need education to work on a state collective farm.
Algebra teaches logical reasoning which is why they want to drop it.
Socialism requires emotion, not logic.
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