Community Chat

[nomless]

ABSOLUTELY!!!!   Both are used in daily life....perhaps in ways you might not even recognize as being algrebra and geom., but they're there.

[sfnative]

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@PamfromCT wrote:

Absolutely. With exceptions for vocational students.  

Students heading for college will find they will be taking many courses they may consider useless in everyday life.  In the community where I live, considered one of the top school systems in CT, this would be a moot question.  I might add that a college education will give you information you need to succeed in life, but also give you lifetime skills of learning how to learn.

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@PamfromCT

With all due respect and just as one example, how could a carpenter possibly function without the basics of geometry?

[spix]

Yes I do think those classes should be a part of high school curriculum, if nothing else it requires the students to think & maybe even use logic, traits I find sorely missing in many people, college degreed or not.

[kdgn]

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@PamfromCT wrote:

Absolutely. With exceptions for vocational students.  

Students heading for college will find they will be taking many courses they may consider useless in everyday life.  In the community where I live, considered one of the top school systems in CT, this would be a moot question.  I might add that a college education will give you information you need to succeed in life, but also give you lifetime skills of learning how to learn.

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I don't think there should be exceptions for vocational ed students. They, too, will use geometry and Algebra 1 in many ways. In fact, geometry should be/would be essential for some trades.

Not all students are going to go to college. Not all students want to go to college nor should they have to. However, they should be prepared for whatever path they choose after graduating from high school. Trades are in high demand-and yet there are slots that need to be filled because trade schools haven't been encouraged as an option.

[nomless]

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@missy1 wrote:

Optional IMO. I don't use it IRL. 

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I bet you do use algebra in real life, you just don't realize it.

For example, Kohl's offers $10 of $50 purchase.  BBB offers $5 off $15 purchase.  Which is the better deal?  It takes algebra to figure that out.  Kohl's: $10 = x% of $50, so x = 10/50 (answer = 20%).  BBB: $5 = x% of $15, so x = 5/15 (answer = 33%).  BBB deal is better.  

As for geometry....you need to hang a picture grouping or cut an odd-shaped tile for the bathroom upgrade or you need to cut a pie into equal pieces.....geometry.

[abbeythe 8th]

I do not believe all students need or should take Algebra and Geometry, but they should be part of a college prep curriculum. I agree that both subjects help us develop higher level thinking skill.

Throughout our lives we are exposed to many topics we may not ever utilize, but that does not  mean it was a waste to learn them.  A broad  base of general knowledge cannot be a bad thing.

I am a retired mathematics teacher.

[Burnsite]

Algebra is being taught in the middle school grades in the school where my sister works.  It is necessary for higher math.

If the US would like to fall even further behind other secondary-education systems in other countries, abandoning algebra and geometry is the way to guarantee we are no longer competitive in scientific innovation and technologies. 

"Disappearing" those topics would dumb down the college prep curriculum. 

In my high school decades ago, two of the six junior year classes didn't have algebra because the students did not intend to go to college.  That is sensible of course.  To disable every student from higher math skills is just wrong.

[ValuSkr]

I think it's sufficiently clear these subjects should be taught, whether college-bound or not.  The other question - whether cursive writing should be taught - was more interesting.

[Puzzle Piece]

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@LTT1 wrote:

@Puzzle Piece@PamfromCT@CrazyDaisy

This is what I think, too.  Math "exposes" your thought path-ways to methods to problem-solve.

I told my students (who looked at me funny) that by evolving the pathways, they would be able to "figure out" ways to ie: get "around" the "dumb boss" (in the situations where the boss is dumb LOL) who is standing in the way to their success.

I told them that if there was ever a computer game that would sufficiently develop these pathways (and if it could be proven) the inventor would be a billionaire!

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So very TRUE!  Also, math helps those tremedously who want to learn ot play a musical instrument and to master it and note reading.  Of course it is NEEDED in the sciences as well. 

[Puzzle Piece]

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@meowing kitty wrote:

As a person who hated math and could not pass an algebra class I think it is  not necessary for students to learn algebra or geometry but basic math skills today are sorely lacking. I have lived 60 years not caring if X + y= z. I did go on to earn a college degree and did not have to take higher math. Higher math classes are good for those going on to college but for everyday life it just isn't necessary. Kids today can't even make change. Give them skills for life, not just because it is supposed to make them think. All it does is frustrate them more. Not everyone can do or loves math. It's just another class to suffer through.

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I won't discount your experience.  It also has to do with how young one is exposed to math and who the teacher is - those are very crucial.  Some learn their math later than others - when they are ready to learn it.  Not that math shouldn't be taught ot left out of a schools curriculum.  Who teaches math is very imnportant.  The worst are arrogant creeps who make the students feel inadequate, so they feel not math savy very young and give up on the subject altogether.

To those that are relijus, mathematics is considered the language of the creator.