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So American students keep getting dumber and dumber...
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The chancellor of the California Community Colleges system says intermediate algebra should no longer be required to earn an associate degree — unless students are in the fields of science, technology, engineering or math.
“College-level algebra is probably the greatest barrier for students — particularly first-generation students, students of color — obtaining a credential,” he said. “If we know we're disadvantaging large swaths of students who we need in the workforce, we have to question why. And is algebra really the only means we have to determine whether a student is going to be successful in their life?
I was thinking about this today while driving to work. How I really hated going to community college because of math classes for a major that had nothing to do with it. I wondered how much happier I'd be if I didn't have to take them and then how that would make me feel better about my day and other classes.
I think it's sad if that is the reason but if it's not related to your major that might be smart.
I think at a certain age you should be able to look at the student populate and just know certain kids are never going to be in certain careers. And you might lose a few late bloomers in the process but overall I think you could prepare students for more important classes than Algebra.
I was thinking about this today while driving to work. How I really hated going to community college because of math classes for a major that had nothing to do with it. I wondered how much happier I'd be if I didn't have to take them and then how that would make me feel better about my day and other classes.
I think it's sad if that is the reason but if it's not related to your major that might be smart.
I think at a certain age you should be able to look at the student populate and just know certain kids are never going to be in certain careers. And you might lose a few late bloomers in the process but overall I think you could prepare students for more important classes than Algebra.
Personally I think math requirement is like a sieve to filter out those who are really too weak. Employers want to have that kind of sieves for degree earners.
So it is not about what you want, but about what you can.
Algebra forces the brain to exercise neuropathways, sometimes forging new ones. It literally makes you smarter.
Maybe it shouldn't be required to obtain a credential at a community college, but it does have value.
The so-called intermediate algebra is really just 13 year-old algebra in many countries. (Yes I was a math tutor in college.)
They have that in college only because many students did not learn anything in high school.
Personally I think math requirement is like a sieve to filter out those who are really too weak. Employers want to have that kind of sieves for degree earners.
So it is not about what you want, but about what you can.
I agree but I also look at it as a issue where you put the weaker people at a huge disadvantage to be onto something else.
While we're at it let's take a closer look at that pesky spelling and punctuation. Also reading is vastly overrated.
And don't even get me started on sentence structure.
So American students keep getting dumber and dumber...
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The chancellor of the California Community Colleges system says intermediate algebra should no longer be required to earn an associate degree — unless students are in the fields of science, technology, engineering or math.
“College-level algebra is probably the greatest barrier for students — particularly first-generation students, students of color — obtaining a credential,” he said. “If we know we're disadvantaging large swaths of students who we need in the workforce, we have to question why. And is algebra really the only means we have to determine whether a student is going to be successful in their life?
This is not actually helpful to people of color or anyone else.
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