Well, we disagree. So many political issues we face today have a technical component that it is my opinion that an education is deficient without two years at the college level of chemistry, physics, biology, and computer science, all of which should require calculus, linear algebra, and multivariate statistics. All of that is easily completed before leaving for college if one only redesigns the curriculum. Both my kids will have a year of college calculus under their belts before their thirteenth birthdays. One will do it before she's twelve. She was factoring quadratics when she was six. No, it's not that she's a genius, it's the method.
The idea that someone can't make sensible financial decisions or evaluate budget decisions on something like NASA without a background in physics or calculus strikes me as elitist. JMHO.
And just what is wrong with expecting a high level of performance from every child? How is that elitist?
It's simply not possible for everyone to specialize in everything and have an extremely extensive college mathematics background at the same time one is specializing in another area.
Yes it is. We are doing it right now.
I'm not saying a high level of expectations is elitist, it's the idea that one is not qualified to make political/budgetary decisions *without* that kind of a background. *That* was what I saw as elitist.
More power to you for accomplishing what you are with your children at a young age. It is admirable. My eldest similarly is building an extensive mathematics background. She is definitely not as advanced as your children but is a good couple years ahead of the average public schooler (has completed AP-level Calculus and is now in a combo of Trig/Algebra II at H.S. sophomore age).
However, I don't believe my own education (Phi Beta Kappa, Bachelor's in history/minor in political science at a private, highly regarded liberal arts university) was deficient because I did not take numerous college-level mathematics courses. (Indeed, there was no way I *could* logistically take all the courses suggested here and complete my required coursework!) My education was simply *different*, and I specialized in an area other than mathematics. I took many, many courses in areas such as Chinese and Soviet History, Political Philosophy, Constitutional Law, Mexican Migration to the U.S., Guerilla Warfare, World Politics, and U.S. History. Do I believe every lawmaker, indeed, every American, would be the better for having a background in all those courses in order to make wise decisions in context? Of course. Is it practical to expect that of every "well-educated" person? Probably not. Another example: As a parent, an extensive background in medicine would have been helpful at many junctures thus far...but again, that wasn't practical. My education in this area stopped at AP level physiology and basic college biology. But I use my critical thinking skills to research issues which arise with my family and decide which medical personnel/opinions I will trust. Many of us simply bring different gifts and expertise to the table than someone else who may have had extensive coursework in another area. I tend to doubt (I could certainly be wrong!) my pediatrician took numerous college courses in Shakespeare or politics, but I would hardly consider her poorly educated. The absence of extensive knowledge in one particular field doesn't necessarily mean one is poorly educated.
Now, homeschooling *is* a different kettle of fish, which is one reason I'm doing it for my three youngest :). Learning more efficiently in the pre-college years, there is time for things such as community college coursework during high school. If you can do it, I think it's a grand idea and I'm sure your children benefit. The more education under one's belt, in all areas, the better. My own children are probably the only children in our immediate area who have more than a passing acquaintance with the Renaissance and Reformation at 3rd grade and under :).
To wrap up, I simply don't agree with the idea that people aren't equipped to make wise decisions about our country without mathematics, or that extensive mathematics coursework is absolutely needed in order to be considered well-educated. I've had this debate (probably with some here!) on FR before and I think there's just a different point of view on the subject which is strongly influenced by our own academic backgrounds and interests.
Appreciate you sharing your thoughts --
As a bona-fide nerd, I gotta part ways with ya on this one, Carry... The way I feel about it is, nobody in politics is worth the paper they're printed on. Let 'em wallow in their ignorance. Why waste good differentiation on a politician? Let the scientists prove themselves to the people without some deadbeat of a middle-man/woman.
Math and the pure science (by which I mean physics, of course) are becoming muddied with mediocrity. Meaningful education in the above should be spent on those who deserve it, i.e. those who are actually going to go out and do something useful in life...
Yes, I am weary and jaded with politicians. I have a great deal of scorn for their kind...