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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, @07:23PM (3 children)
I would never support involuntary sterilization, but articles like this seem to make a strong case for increasing advocacy of voluntary sterilization. At the age of 18 females who have never given birth are granted the option to be sterilized in exchange for a payment of $xx,xxx. This would not only be an incredibly benevolent way of going about things, but it might even work towards deterring early pregnancy. No sex before marriage isn't exactly stopping people from getting it on, but no sex for $xx,xxx? That's quite a bit more of an incentive. These individuals would also of course be free to adopt if they wish to do so later in life.
It's rather amazing to consider the potential benefits here. The first thing is that this program is likely 'free.' Calculate the average cost to society from offspring of the groups that would be most likely to accept such an exchange. It's going to be *far* greater than e.g. $10,000. That money could also help to kickstart them towards a better life - either getting out of the situation that they're in, managing to go to college, or perhaps going with an entrepreneurial concept. I think the major downside of such a program is that it's extremely unfair in terms of the sexes. Yet that is of necessity. Sterilizing men accomplishes very little since one man can impregnate an extremely large number of women in a short period of time, yet a woman's rate of reproduction is extremely limited.
Given that such a program would be purely voluntary, I really struggle to find a downside other than that gender bias. The crazy thing is that this could radically transform society for the better in less than 40 years.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday July 22 2017, @08:33PM
There are 4 1/2 reasons for retroactive abortion
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday July 22 2017, @08:44PM (1 child)
Without algebra, your (assumed) poor young women will just piss away their $xx,xxx.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday July 22 2017, @09:00PM
I was talking about your mother!