Algebra is a basic concept. I totally agree that math has a strong focus in the American education system, but to not require algebra is just crazy. Just because its “hard” doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be doing it. We should be raising the standards for newer generations, not lowering them.
So far I haven’t seen a good argument for math that hasn’t revolved around a skill that couldn’t be taught in a philosophy or debate class.
Being able to break down spoken or written words into an argument style to identify fallacies would probably do a lot more to improve society than memorizing a bunch of rules that apply to numbers.
The biggest problem with math is that it lacks utility for most people, and the way it is taught it has little utility so people don’t use it. Science is great because it puts math to good use. It makes math do something tangible for us that we can see real value in.
And I say this as someone who is working on a MS (Masters in Science). I have to take a lot of classes on advanced statistics and research design. At least in stats and research you actually prove something useful that can actually improve the lives of others. Forcing kids to break down equations that give them something like (x-2)(x+1) is practically worthless.
Are you joking? We use all use algebra, and teaching the bare minimum is not what we should be doing regardless. I’m all for raising the standards of philosophy taught and communications skills. I totally agree we should also be teaching necessary life skills like personal finance and instilling a regard for personal fitness. But to say that basic algebra is worthless is an ignorant statement. Yes basic math like splitting an equal check between 4 people does not involve algebra, but I can think of lots of situations in my life that I had to use algebra to figure out some fancy ways to split something, or to solve simple cost equations. It wasn’t complicated algebra, but it was algebra nonetheless.
so there is one party who wants to “lower” Math standards and substitute with something easier to grasp because it isn’t as abstract do to it being tangible
and there is another party who doesn’t want to lower any standard.
When China and India become the technological powerhouse, I will shed a man tear.\
Fun Fact; Majority of American Politicians have degree’s that do not involve math.
Law, History, Philosophy, Business
yup, that sure is working out for us.
Algebra is fucking easy especially in HS, I had an A+ Average in Algebra 2 without ever having to do homework. Anyone with an IQ over a rock can grasp Algebra and Algebra II in HS. It literally just takes reading the damn Algebra book and seeing how the problems are worked out. And people wonder why kids these days are fucking dumb.
“Critical thinking” isn’t a subject. You can’t put someone in a “critical thinking” class and teach them how to not be an idiot. It’s mostly a meaningless catchphrase designed to make you sound stupid for arguing against it. It’s like “pro-life” vs. “pro-choice” in that regard.
What it really is, is applying logic to data. But in order to get there, you have to teach people logic (via math, philosophy, formal logic, whatever) and give them information to use it on (politics, English, physics, blah). The gestalt is more important than the components.
Trivium + quadrivium is the way to go, imo.
1 + 1 = 11
Algebra finishes up the job of teaching arithmetic…
Who doesn’t need that?
Algebra hard? Fuck outta here with that nonsense…
I swear, I’m gonna be done with America before the idiot ship finishes sinking…
This right here. Why are we content to dumb down content just to make it “easier?” If anything, school should be harder than ever.
Algebra is basic mathematics. If you can’t do algebra it’s because you can’t comprehend basic mathematics.
Lets be honest neither major political party is interested in Americans getting any more intelligent. The more idiotic they keep people, the easier it is to get people to vote for whatever bullshit comes out of their mouth.
and I quote the article
“California’s two university systems, for instance, consider applications only from students who have taken three years of mathematics and in that way exclude many applicants who might excel in fields like art or history.”
Because it takes so much mental fortitude and sheer genius to excel in History or Art.
It does take some Mental Fortitude to excel in History if you are actually studying true history and not what they teach you in the text books in High School. Generally speaking it is not as useful though unless you are going into some kind of military strategist position.
Math was always easy for me up until around PreCalc. It was the first time I had to study for a class, and I was lucky I realized I actually had to study because I barely got a B:/ Then when I moved on to Calc, I just got fucked over. I feel like I didn’t use anything I learned in PreCalc at all, and the teacher was very boring. I was having difficulty studying because the pace was too fast, and the difficulty ramped up too much. It didn’t matter how many times the teacher went over problems because I didn’t understand how anything worked. I bet a lot of kids feel the same way as I do, except about easier courses. I feel like if the US wants to get kids better and more interested in Math, they gotta make it interesting from the get go. I don’t understand why I’m learning something if I have no idea what the hell I’m learning it for. At the beginning of a class, instead of saying what I’ll be able to do in math, tell me what I’ll be ABLE to do with the math -_- Sigh…
It is not the teachers job to make the criteria interesting, it is their job to teach it. If you can not be motivated enough to do the most basic of shit, you are going to be flipping burgers anyway.
The fact that anyone here thinks ALGEBRA is an advanced form of math, or that it’s useless is a testament to the fact that it is not being taught correctly. Shameful. EVERYONE uses Algebra, whether they know it or not.
Someone said History isn’t useful except for military strategists? What about for studying economics, politics, philosophy, or even science? Or just for being an educated voter? God help us all…
Edit: Why would it even be useful for military strategists? Why would that even matter?
I know, I know 
But I still stand by at least telling me what I can do with the Math.
Lol, I used to think exactly like this when I was an engineering major. Then I was exposed to stuff outside my major and the cold math equations I was drowning in. If someone finds the more abstract stuff more interesting then why force them to learn the math, when it doesn’t work the other way around? To me, humans are more interesting than numbers.
When they become the technological powerhouses? Get your tissues ready. Don’t look up their GDP growth statistics either.
China is basically a technocracy, yes, they’re also basically totalitarian and have gross human rights violations on every level. But they’re efficient right? I’m not saying American politics isn’t fucked, but I don’t think it’s because the politicians majored in law or whatever.
the context of the quote, was that students applying to a University (both High School kids, and Community College applicants) who do well in History and Art get overlooked or ignored. Which is why I made that comment. it doesn’t take much Mental Fortitude to study History and then break it down at that level.
really? Are you really asking this?
because its simple Algebra, that’s why. No body is forcing people to learn Differential Equations or Linear Algebra. the mere fact that Algebra is on the chopping board just goes to show how far the rabbit hole goes down.
yeah, I really don’t give a shit that they make money, or that they are expanding fast in industry. They day Chinese firms start developing advanced techniques for the manufacturing of exotic fibers/ceramics/alloys, start inventing hardware that can surpasses American hardware, have a superior military tech, superior medicine, etc, then Ill care.
their lack of common sense or lack of ability to think critically tells me other wise.
By that logic almost all subjects are useless, since most jobs only require you to be able to read, and maybe write. Should we nerf Geography, History, Biology and Literature next?
I think algebra should absolutely stay, and be taught at the more theoretical level(thoguh application is ALSO important. When I was young I had all that dumb theory crap, but now that I’ve gone through school and am out in the real world I understand how important it is. The big thing about learning theory is that if you understand the theory you A. learn it better, B. can relearn it better, C. can apply it outside the direct things you learned and D. can learn new things easier.
There’s lots of stuff in the real world for everyone of every station. Got loans? I hope you understand how to pay 'em off in a non foolish way, or heck if you even could/should get 'em in the first place. 401k? That’s all investment. Even tossing stuff in a savings account and understanding how it’ll grow, and comparing types of savings. Talking purely about politics and voting, or even debating in general, statistics and math get thrown around constantly. It’s cool if you learn how to tell if someones argument has a logical fallacy, but if you don’t understand the numbers and research being tossed around you can’t even begin to step into the ring, it’s especially difficult because so many people purposely use math in a confusing way. I’ve had a real job for barely over a year and this is all stuff I’ve had to deal with(and more probably that I can’t think of). All of that is of course on top if you actually use math in a job, and barring other advantages such as learning to learn, learning proofs(very applicable to logical thought and arguing, though I’m sure it’s taught in philosophy and other classes). I’d say memorizing stuff is absolutely the most worthless part of math