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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: 5, Insightful) by Sulla on Saturday July 22 2017, @08:20PM (2 children)
- The bar is too high, some groups can't make it
- Well then we should teach them better, may--
- No thats racist you need to lower the bar
Ceterum censeo Sinae esse delendam
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday July 23 2017, @01:57AM
I grew up in the post-segregation period where they were initially trying to figure this stuff out.
The problem isn't the way that the classes are taught so much that certain segments of the population don't respect education and don't get their children ready for school before showing up that first day. Unfortunately, if you aren't already ahead when you show up, you're already behind.
Then there's the parents that do respect school, but simply aren't around to properly parent the children. Mostly because they're stuck working two jobs because the government doesn't provide actual poverty relief and assistance.
Lowering the standards for minority students is rather racist and counter-productive. It sends a powerful message that those students aren't smart enough to make it if they apply themselves and not only does that screw over the current generation of students, but it also screws over the next generation that's then raised by these people that think it's OK not to apply themselves at school
(Score: 2) by JoeMerchant on Sunday July 23 2017, @02:38AM
Teaching them better isn't racist - sometimes teaching them better still doesn't work, regardless of race.
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