Community Chat

[LTT1]

@151949... I have opinions (please read the posts)...

[hckynutjohn]

They should not be required classes. Unless a person chooses a certain field or trade, who uses them regularly? I've never used or needed it, nor has my wife.

Instead, how about general math? Adding/subtracting etc. without needing a calculator. Maybe even how to tell the time of day on a regular old clock?

I didn't graduate high school in the 1950's, but I knew what classes would help me when I was 14, and to this very day. I concentrated on: General Math/Bookkeeping/General Business and typing. Got "1's" in all those classes.  World History/Social Studies/ Biology? I couldn't have cared less, and I have not needed any of them in my lines of employment.

hckynut(john)

[insomniac]

I think they should be part of the high school curriculum, but I also think a class covering basic math skills should be MANDATORY (with an option for students to test out of it).

It is appalling how essential math situations elude supposedly intelligent people.

[jaxs mom]

Education isn't just about employment, it's also about understanding the world and participating in life. Civics and history are important. Sadly a lot of adults don't even understand how their own government works or what it's founding documents actually say. 

[deepwaterdotter]

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@JAXS Mom wrote:

I use algebra and geometry every day. And no not in a paid position. 

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I do also.

[LTT1]

@CalminHeart: did you ever see the movie "Idiocracy?" It has many of the traits, IMO, that our society is now embracing... representing the "dumbing down" of America.

[jaxs mom]

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@LTT1 wrote:
@CalminHeart: did you ever see the movie "Idiocracy?" It has many of the traits, IMO, that our society is now embracing... representing the "dumbing down" of America.

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We can lament the young all we want, but there are plenty of not young people that are lacking a basic understanding of the world and how it works. 

[Meowingkitty]

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@hckynutjohn wrote:

They should not be required classes. Unless a person chooses a certain field or trade, who uses them regularly? I've never used or needed it, nor has my wife.

Instead, how about general math? Adding/subtracting etc. without needing a calculator. Maybe even how to tell the time of day on a regular old clock?

I didn't graduate high school in the 1950's, but I knew what classes would help me when I was 14, and to this very day. I concentrated on: General Math/Bookkeeping/General Business and typing. Got "1's" in all those classes.  World History/Social Studies/ Biology? I couldn't have cared less, and I have not needed any of them in my lines of employment.

hckynut(john)

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I love the part about kids not being able to tell time. I used to work with someone who gave her 14 year old step daughter a watch for Christmas and her daughter didn't know what it was or how to tell time. 

[Sweetbay magnolia]

I would imagine geometry is useful in carpentry, among other things.  Home building.  Architecture.  Heck, picture hanging.  In general, deduction.

 I think algebra helps one to figure abstract mathematical problems - useful in the days I had to manage a mortgage pipeline and do production reports.  I tend to reason numbers as if they are words or pictures (word problems are useful to learn?).

I can't imagine these basic skills not being taught - nor, not cursive writing!

[RetRN]

I do believe that algebra and geometry should be taught. The fact that young people today can't balance a checkbook, make change, or tell time on a clock are great examples of the need for better education. Math skills are used daily for most of us.