This is not a (political) troll. Due to recent test results in LA & other
places, people are starting to ask the question "why teach algebra?" I've
been pondering this question for years, and have never been able to come
up with a simple answer that would be compelling to a non-mathematician,
non-engineer. Does anyone on this list have such an argument?
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Steve Lopez of the LA Times:
"One reason for the dropout problem is that kids are flunking algebra. In the fall of 2004, 44% of the district's 48,000 ninth-graders came up short, and Times reporter Duke Helfand found a Birmingham student who flunked algebra six times.
This is because huge numbers of students can't do basic math, let alone algebra, which in 2003 became a requirement for graduation in all LAUSD schools. In future years, no one will get a diploma without three years of advanced math.
At the very least, the district should have phased in the existing algebra requirement, beefing up basic math instruction first. But even at that, why force all students to take advanced math courses, driving out those who might never use algebra in the real world?
Sure, good jobs await those who know math and science, and yes, algebraic computations are a mind-expanding exercise. But so is the reading of great books.
We ought to make sure students can take all the trig and calculus they want. But for others, I'd rather see a reality-based math curriculum that prepares students for life, equipping them to balance a checkbook, understand credit card finance charges and challenge the IRS."
President Bush on algebra:
"You know," Bush said, "a lot of people probably think 'Math and science isn't meant for me  it kind of seems a little hard, algebra.' I can understand that, frankly." Even now, Bush said, he too could use some expert guidance. "I'm looking for a mentor, by the way," he said to laughter, "both in math and English."
