Schools kill learning, but you’ve got to take some algebra even if you’re just going to work in the trades. Is geometry being dropped.
Texas and other states with large Latino populations have a major challenge on the education front. Latinos for the most part are not education oriented.
Lower standards just lead to lower standards.
Not in this case. A real Algebra 2 course takes intelligence and effort. Mandating that everyone take Algebra 2 has only served to slow down the classes for capable students and to spread the math teacher pool too thin.
It's much better to have a serious Algebra 1 and Geometry be required, and then move those students who lack the ability or interest into job skill courses, or into options that prepare them for life.