As I recall, in h.s. the advanced math classes were geometry, trig, calculus, and Algebra II. H.S. was grades 10-12 but classes you took in 9th grade (which was lumped in with 7th and 8th grades and called jr. high) counted towards your graduation credits. That was when I took "baby math." Despite the fact that they went to a small rural h.s., my youngest two were able to take the above in h.s., plus they offered honors English and college mathematics (calculus, trig) for college credit. Both of them got their college math and English requirements out of the way while still in h.s. Parents of course had to pay for the college credit courses, but even so it was a lot cheaper than actual college tuition.
"Conservatism is the blind and fear-filled worship of dead radicals." -- Mark Twain
Into the Night (09-20-2021)
4,487
18 U.S. Code § 2071 - Concealment, removal, or mutilation generally
44 U.S.C. 2202 - The United States shall reserve and retain complete ownership, possession, and control of Presidential records; and such records shall be administered in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
LOCK HIM UP!
ThatOwlWoman (09-20-2021)
In the small rural school where I graduated (and where I’ve taught math for 33+ years) graduation requirements in the 80’s was two maths. They offered Alg I, Alg II and Geometry for college bound students and General Math and Consumer Math for non college bound students. A semester of General Business was also required. I took them all. As an old guy, looking back and seeing how my classmates have fared through the years (most have done quite well) I think everyone should have been required to t that Consumer Math course.
My son just graduated from the same school. Requirements have changed, budgets have been cut, teachers have been RIFed so fewer math classes are taught. Requirements to graduate, per our state, are at least 3 maths with Alg I being the lowest level and all other courses having to be equal to or greater in rigor than Alg I. There is no room in the day for nor enough teachers to teach a General Business or Consumer Math class.
Ours is a small school. My son graduated with 16 others. He an another classmate are freshmen at OU, both in freshman level Calculus. He started with 12 credit hours from concurrent work while in High School. 2 of his other classmates are in college as well and will do fine. Two are in Tech School, one studying law enforcement (wants to be a game warden) and one becoming a certified electrician. The rest will do various other jobs.
If, as their math teacher, I held their feet to the fire and made them all perform in Algebra II and Geometry at a satisfactory level, about 5 of them would fail. I have the option to require less for satisfactory work. Even though this works it is not the best situation for the kids or for the teacher. There need to be more options like there were in the 80’s for fulfilling Mathematics requirements for graduation from high school. I’ll say it again: Not all kids need Algebra. And I’ll add: All kids need to learn how to be a competent consumer.
Kids drop out of high school all the time. It is very difficult for them to be successful when they do. Many give “academic struggles” as their reason for dropping out. Of those who drop out and give “academic struggles” as their reason, something like 80% or more give math as the subject causing that struggle. There has to be a better way to prepare kids for life after high school without giving them an excuse to throw their hands up and quit.
ThatOwlWoman (09-20-2021)
4,487
18 U.S. Code § 2071 - Concealment, removal, or mutilation generally
44 U.S.C. 2202 - The United States shall reserve and retain complete ownership, possession, and control of Presidential records; and such records shall be administered in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
LOCK HIM UP!
ThatOwlWoman (09-20-2021)
ThatOwlWoman (09-20-2021)
That's simply not true you're so out of the loop...lol
I like that consumer math idea. Our district rolled that into the required civics class in 9th grade. One quarter was devoted to creating a family budget, learning how to fill out a 1040, how the stock markets work including having to pick three stocks to follow during the quarter and write a paper on how well (or poorly) they did, and why -- which meant reading the financial section of the daily newspaper. It was an Economics 101 Lite, basically. We also had to learn the Missouri and U.S. Constitutions, memorize a bunch of stuff about them, and had to write a letter to one of our congresscritters or Senators about some issue affecting kids/students. Does your district require Civics as well?
Your son -- no way was HE getting out of math lightly. lol Has he chosen a major yet?
"Conservatism is the blind and fear-filled worship of dead radicals." -- Mark Twain
anatta (09-20-2021)
ThatOwlWoman (09-20-2021)
That's the Republiqan approach to education -- blame the teachers. Poor outcomes are never the fault of lack of funding, poor parenting and involvement, etc. Nope, it's the teachers' fault and test scores prove it.
Now they'll have to come up with a more creative way to blame them.
"Conservatism is the blind and fear-filled worship of dead radicals." -- Mark Twain
machine shops and even car chips require math, but im not sure of algebra.
Truthfully I never used it after school, but my degree was psyche, and lots of biology
I dont disagree: we should follow Germany and have an wide apprentice program in parternship with business for those not wanting to waste their time with liberal arts
ThatOwlWoman (09-20-2021)
leaningright (09-20-2021)
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