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If she's an ENGLISH teacher, why is a math test so important?

She is not taking a "math test". She has been failing the mathematics portion of the general knowledge test which all teachers are required to pass by state law.

Since you "consider myself gifted in current events, history and political matters" I am truely amazed that you failed to eluicidate this in reading a very short article consisting of only four small paragraphs containing seven sentences in total. How does your other reading go? Or possibly do you obtain your knowledge of current events, history and politics by watching TV?

If children are to respect their teachers the teachers have to have some expertise in "general knowledge" in order to be seen as intelligent and worthy of respect.

Passing a general knowledge test seems very appropriate to me. People who claim to have a "math block" are really saying that they are not willing to work hard enough to do anything other than express their "feeling" on any given issue.

Well genius, if you saw what I said and want to get technical, I didn't say she was taking a math test. I wondered why a math test was important. You are ASSuming.

Also, I have taken state proficiency tests a few years back probably similar to what she was taking. There were three sections. Math, Writing, and Science.(and yes I did pass all of them). Those 'sections' were in essense, different tests, since they were graded seperately.

If children are to respect their teachers the teachers have to have some expertise in "general knowledge" in order to be seen as intelligent and worthy of respect.

What's considered general knowledge? Long Division? Basic Algebra? Advanced Algebra? Calculus? Geometry? If she's not passing basic math that's one thing. I don't expect an English teacher to know even mid level Algebra. I expect an English teacher to know English and the subjects that are related(Reading, Writing, etc).

I think you better back off of Dan. In Texas, we take an exit test that pertains to our teaching field/s. We also take a professional development exit test (BS in my opinion). I agree with Dan. I took the math exit. 90 problems-4 to 5 hours. Can't pass it if I can't read. I'm an English major too, never taking the Eng. exit test. I don't ever recall needing math for my English classes. And before you bash my university, don't. It was Baylor.