[wintertime]

Too many government teachers are math phobic themselves. Also, if their SAT, ACT, and GRE scores are any indication, too many teachers are too dumb to learn math themselves, let alone teach it.

Next, what about the Bell Curve?

How many children realistically have the IQ to take and pass Algebra? What is the cut off point on the Bell Curve? Obviously a certain number of children are incapable of learning it!

Also..., where is the cut off point on the Bell Curve where it is impossible to master the material in a typical high school program? Obviously, there will always be a certain number of children who are incapable of graduating from high school!

We have a choice:

1) A high school diploma has real meaning and a certain percentage of children will never earn one.

Or..

2) A high school diploma means nothing and everyone can get one.

Finally, I think every government teacher should be required to sit in the same math classes as math and science majors. They should be required to take and pass Calculus I. Yes, I know that most teachers do not need Calculus I for to do their jobs,,BUT,,,it would assure that they were smart enough to deserve a government paycheck!

[SE Mom]

It’s a strange new world kids must contend with today. We had teachers who would not take “can’t” for an answer to hard math problems. My IQ was high and I excelled in History, Science and Grammar- but I had to take Algebra 3 times before I passed. Today I would probably be allowed to go to the next grade in spite of failing Algebra. It may sound strange to today’s students- but we weren’t ALLOWED to fail. Teachers and parents worked with us until we understood and learned.

[wastedyears]

This stuff is foreign to me, but I scored a 70 on the ASVAB...