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Some Educators Question If Algebra Should Be Required

posted by n1 on Saturday July 22 2017, @04:22PM   Printer-friendly
from the math-is-hard dept.

Arthur T Knackerbracket has found the following story:

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.

-- submitted from IRC

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  • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday July 22 2017, @09:16PM (2 children)

    by Anonymous Coward on Saturday July 22 2017, @09:16PM (#543089)

    Its about learning how to think. Basic algebra is just a vehicle for this, so yes, it needs to be taught.

  • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday July 22 2017, @10:34PM (1 child)

    by Anonymous Coward on Saturday July 22 2017, @10:34PM (#543130)

    It needs to be taught properly, which we currently do not do and have never done. What we have now are tons of people who have diplomas which supposedly should mean they have an understanding of the things the school supposedly taught them but do not actually possess said understanding.

    • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday July 22 2017, @11:11PM

      by Anonymous Coward on Saturday July 22 2017, @11:11PM (#543154)

      This is crazy take it would be like saying you could not do advanced calculus in grade 5 how could you ever be a wonderful comp sci geek then? impossible that cannot happen se my math at this bitly address!