Algebra testing sets kids up to fail

The problem lies largely with the the liberal arts extremists who have hijacked education. They want kids to learn about social diversity but sacrifice science and math to accomplish this. And contrary to popular opinion, a basic understanding of algebra is very helpful in life. Anyone who understood algebra would have known that the adjustable-rate mortgages were bound to blow up in their faces. It also helps with figuring out the best bargains for your money. I didn't need school to learn about diversity--it was all around me. But I did need school to learn algebra.

kristin @ 4:24 PM PDT, Jul 16, 2008

This is a crucial issue. I am 65 and have been doing some exploration of the biotechnology and alternative energy fields. People in both industries agree that American students are lacking in mathematical literacy. As an earlier commentator notes, I have not had much occasion to use algebra in my career, but that is no longer the case. All occupations are going to require more mathematical literacy, and algebra is the open sesame to advanced mathematics.

Douglas Borchert @ 2:54 PM PDT, Jul 16, 2008

Resources don't decide who learns Algebra. However, when a student is exposed to teachers who give them excuses for not learning, that is a problem. Teachers of English, Language Arts, Art, and Music have been known to pooh pooh mathematics with statements like "Don't worry about that exam. I never could learn algebra (geometry, calculus) either."

Dick Beldin @ 11:15 AM PDT, Jul 16, 2008

Amen, Paul. i suggest you read: http://www.ishmael.org/Education/Writings/unschooling.shtml There you'll find very similar thoughts from Daniel Quinn.

dave @ 10:19 AM PDT, Jul 16, 2008

That's right, Allison. It COULD kill their desire to learn..but that already happens every day in schools and has for years because we insist on teaching the way NO human being learns: all kids in age-segregated classes given the same facts to memorize at the same time..no critical thinking, no time spent with working people in the real world, no self-directed learning, no cooperative situations at all. Just meaningless grades which mean nothing in future years of work. Schools by their very nature kill desire for learning. How many kids read for the love of reading? Very few. Is it any wonder? Nothing will change until we reckognize this

Paul @ 10:07 AM PDT, Jul 16, 2008

I grew up in Ireland when it was still a poor country. Ireland's per capita spending on education is half that of the US. I studied Algebra at the elementary level. This did not cause a lot of kids to drop out. It did not kill their desire to learn. Americans need to stop making excuses. It is not a lack of money that is the problem here. Throwing more money at education won't work. Funding of education in this country has increased more than 200%, yet performance hasn't improved. Maybe it's time to stop focusing on money and look for other solutions to turn around America's dismal educational system.

JC @ 9:59 AM PDT, Jul 16, 2008

The REAL problem in this whole uproar over mandating Algebra in 8th Grade is really quite simple: The teachers unions simply will not teach, properly or otherwise, if they aren't paid the money they want (notice I used the word 'want' and not 'need') The unions have been the problem for years and years in regards to our educational system. My question to Mr. Chatman (or whoever wrote this op-ed for him) is how can countries like El Salvador, a third-world country with teachers who dont recieve even half of the pay that teachers do here, be 1-2 years more advanced than the U.S. in Alegbra and related math subjects?

Weapon X @ 9:51 AM PDT, Jul 16, 2008

Those "woeful" public schools teach ALL kids to speak, read, and write English within a few years of their arrival. But it is always easy to be a warrior in someone elses body, so 8th grade students get Algebra pushed on them by politicians and a public that couldnt pass the high school exit exam on their best day.

K @ 9:28 AM PDT, Jul 16, 2008

I'm 64 years old and I have several advanced degrees in social science. I have NEVER USED ALGEBRA in my life. Helping to ignite curiosity, and a passion for life-learning is the most important thing one can get from school. Forcing a subject like algebra on young kids could kill their desire to learn.

Allison Hoffman @ 8:23 AM PDT, Jul 16, 2008

Since a large percentage of the kids underperforming in California's woeful public schools are illegal immigrants or the children of illegal immigrants, CSBA should push California to bill annually to the governments of Mexico and Central America so those governments can pick up the tab for the apparent need for even more taxpayer money required to educate kids who don't speak English and who come from 3rd world cultures that don't value education. I am sick and tired of public school officials crying for an endless supply of money. Eliminate the massive expense of educating illegal immigrant children. Problem solved.

J Cir @ 7:22 AM PDT, Jul 16, 2008

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