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Algebra is one of the biggest hurdles to getting a high school or college degree — particularly for students of color and first-generation undergrads.
It is also the single most failed course in community colleges across the country. So if you're not a STEM major (science, technology, engineering, math), why even study algebra?
That's the argument Eloy Ortiz Oakley, chancellor of the California community college system, made today in an interview with NPR's Robert Siegel.
At American community colleges, 60 percent of those enrolled are required to take at least one math course. Most — nearly 80 percent — never complete that requirement.
Oakley is among a growing number of educators who view intermediate algebra as an obstacle to students obtaining their credentials — particularly in fields that require no higher level math skills.
Their thinking has led to initiatives like Community College Pathways, which strays away from abstract algebra to engage students in real-world math applications.
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(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday July 22 2017, @07:31PM (1 child)
The days of flying "by the seat of your pants" went out with biplanes and the dawn of IFR. Your big brain probably couldn't even start the engines of an A300.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday July 22 2017, @09:04PM
No you should look at what the people you assume to be big brained do that flying by the "seat of your pant" went out of fashion is kind of the problem, confusing interface design and lack of basic piloting skills has killed thousands of people in avoidable air accidents.