Finally, 50 plus years after I was forced to take algebra, somebody has asked the right question. That’s the headline in the lead article by Professor Andrew Hacker in today’s New York Times “Sunday Review.” You can find it at <http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/29/opinion/sunday/is-algebra-necessary.html?_r=1&ref=todayspaper>.
Hacker points out that many colleges require algebra, and it acts as a roadblock to students who are more interested in art or music or literature. He notes that algebra has little application to the real world. He says that even in occupations that require math, companies train their employees in the math they need.
Two hundred years ago college students took Latin and Greek and memorized long passages of literary works. Now they don’t, although maybe they should. I know that I remember much more of my high school Latin class than I do of my high school algebra. Let’s dump it.
Roy,
ReplyDeleteYou're wrong on this one. Why should we dumb down our education system and make diplomas and degrees even more worthless. We need to insist on having more mandatory learning, not less.
And really, you're picking on Algebra? Fighting against having to learn is a Republican thing to do and they don't need any help, so knock it off :P