[Jim Noble]

Again, you are making the assumption (completely novel in human history) that algebra competecy is "basic" and, given the correct inputs, can be learned by 100% of the high school age population.

This is nonsense. There is nothing basic about algebra, which introduces and to a degree develops the ability to abstract concrete concepts.

Many adults are incapable of intellectual abstraction, not because their education was deficient, but because they are stupid.

In 1941 about 25% of the (all white) 18 year olds in the Army were capable of graduation from high school. This is probably close to the native rate of twelfth-grade intellectual ability.

In Maryland, if 40% of 18 year olds can do HS level math, that's actually pretty good (of course, the test is probably really 4th grade level).

[milan]

Algebra is basic. My 11 year old son is doing pre-algebra. He is my child, so he can't be too smart. I love him, but his father has limited his intelect at a genetic level :)

I stand by the arguement that Algebra is basic. We can't dumb down our society with "Algebra is too hard" language.

[Desdemona]

This is nonsense. There is nothing basic about algebra, which introduces and to a degree develops the ability to abstract concrete concepts.

Very true. I realized some time ago, that while I don't use the math so much, the concepts learned in algebra, geometry, trig, and calculus helped thinking skills more than anything else.

[FITZ]

Many adults are incapable of intellectual abstraction, not because their education was deficient, but because they are stupid.

That's a very good point. People forget there is an IQ range --- not that the IQ tests are completely right --- but they try to measure something that does exist. Not everyone is given the same intelligence and ability to learn at birth. Some people can't learn math well --- but they can learn subjects that require memorization like spelling well.

[bvw]

I'll vouch for that, historically speaking. I'll go out on a limb even ... in my *feeling*, the IQ of the general american popoulation has gone up maybe 10-15 points since 1940. And the IQ of the negro population has gone up even more than that -- maybe 20-25 points.

I would attribute it to cars and mass media, TV.

Still doesn't change that the high schools are doing a poor job in basics such as math, grammar, science, literacy, geography and history. In fact, if it is as I say -- that native IQ's are higher, then our high schoolers should be doing much much better than 1940's, and it is even more of a hit on the education system that they are not.