Posted on 08/02/2017 11:46:13 AM PDT by Oldeconomybuyer
If you’re one of those students who dreads math — especially algebra — you’ll soon get a bit of a break at the California State University system.
For years, intermediate algebra had been a prerequisite for the system’s general math classes, meaning even students who weren’t majoring in math or science related fields had to complete the course before they could complete their math requirement. Beginning in the fall of 2018, students whose majors aren’t math or science heavy will be able to fulfill their math requirements without slogging through intermediate algebra first — part of a larger effort to increase graduation rates.
“What that means for students is they have more choices,” said Christine Mallon, CSU’s associate vice chancellor for academic programs and faculty development.
Right now, nearly 40 percent of freshmen admitted to a CSU campus have to take remedial math or English classes that are time consuming and expensive but don’t actually count toward a degree.
The chancellor of the state’s community colleges agrees. Eloy Oakley told the Los Angeles Times several weeks ago he doesn’t think intermediate algebra should be required to earn an associate’s degree, either, unless the student is pursuing a math-heavy degree.
“College-level algebra is probably the greatest barrier for students — particularly first-generation students, students of color — obtaining a credential,” he told the Times. “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?”
(Excerpt) Read more at mercurynews.com ...
Somebody should remind them that the name “algebra” is based on an Arabic word and that in dropping it as a requirement they’ll offend a certain favored hyper sensitive leftist protected class. Few things are as entertaining as a fully conflicted Liberal.
who do we need in the workforce who Doesn’t understand basic math and algebra?...or geometry?...what are they going to be?...oh, that’s right...more govt workers and more lawyers...
College students of color who know little math are victims of racist teachers’ unions. This is the prime example of the racism of low expectations. In public school systems: 1) the more special ed classes that can be conjured up, 2) the more teachers are needed, and 3) the more union dues are paid are always the goals of the unions.
Once I was on an appeals committee and remember a student who was appealing her suspension. She had failed the grade school level math course six times. But her intended major was social work...maybe she didn't really need to know basic arithmetic.
Very good, and good for Heinlein. As a former math teacher I have an observation.
Most students can “get” algebra, it is formula driven and learning a few rules can solve many problems. (Word problems are more severe because the problem does not define which formula to use.)
What really determines who should go to college however is not algebra, it is Geometry. That is the best explanation for why two math courses used to be required for college entry. (State or University)
I believe this is because Geometry really uses logical thought and sometimes requires multiple starts at a solution. At any rate, geometry separates the thinkers from the plug and crank types who can pass algebra with sufficient effort.
I do not know why People of Color have problems, but certainly some of them want short cuts and when faced with a problem that requires hard work, they likely find something else to do. (One of my students tried modifying the test answer and then asking for my re-evaluation. Only I could see the correction that was made. Opps — parent conference. And the parent sided with me.)
——Word problems are more severe because the problem does not define which formula to use.-——
boy isn’t that the truth
I enjoyed the 8th grade arithmetic that was mostly word problems
When i struggled with algebra and then learned to like it, I realized the word problem arithmetic was not the way. Equations re the way to go
“...40 percent of freshmen admitted to a CSU campus have to take remedial math or English classes ...”
That is proof positive that secondary schools are failing to accomplish that which they are charged to do.
My son is 12 years of age. Attends a homeschool/hybrid Classical school with two campus days. Their math book this year is a free download from College of the Redwoods in CA. Pre-Algebra.
He is in Second Form Latin, will be reading devotional classics, Thomas Paine’s Common Sense, a bio on Frederick Douglas, Logic I, Pilgrim’s Progress, Frankenstein, A Patriot’s Handbook with speeches, important historical documents, etc, a book on the French Revolution,Physical Science, Composition, Poetry...on and on...
The community colleges of today are a cesspool. Better to convert them into full blown no nonsense Apprentice/Technical Training Institutes.
Intermediate a algebra is a high school class. Good luck taking any college level math class without it
Precisely
Exactly
You may not want to do it, but you can reach mastery of all word problems simply by teaching a standard algebra course to a bunch of unappreciative high school students for about 4 to 5 years in a row. Then you will discover that they cannot give you a word problem that you have not seen before.
Cool?
Intermediate algebra should be mastered by every high school student. The formulas and logic are as basic as bread and butter. It’s the push to make every kid a master in the stuff like Calculus (that maybe 1% of them will use) that is a waste of teacher time besides in AP classes.
Why are we waiting around for CA to secede? Why don’t we kick them out and be done with them ? I like the way the electoral college looks without them.
Intermediate algebra? That which students should master as a freshman or sophomore in high school? Too much to ask from students to be given a college degree?
The simple fact is that level of math is simply a form of logic. How about acknowledging therefore that we are “credentialing” as college graduates those who can’t handle basic logic—aka basic thinking?
More amusing is the youtube comments — full of people who take the clip seriously.
So when Johnny wants to lay carpets for a living and is asked to figure out how many square feet a job will take, he gets saved from having to perform menial labor and can move right to welfare...
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