Andrew Hacker: Is Algebra Necessary? (PUUUUUUUUKE)

[2pooped2pop]

51. I agree

I see way too many kids out there who can't count change back but are forced to flunk through Algebra. No they won't ever use it.
People who actually need it for a career can take it but it is a huge determent to college for kids who know they can never hope to pass that class.

There are simple formulas and other help to understand your mortgage calculations as another poster said was a good reason to teach algebra.

As a nurse, I watched people struggle with this course. When might they use it? Drug dosage computations. That is one formula. They had to learn the whole course for that one formula that they will never have to use but should know.

Only those kids with the basic math skills down pat should be pushed into the higher math. Kids need to know how to count change back when the customer hands you a penny after you have already hit the amount tendered. You would be surprised at how many this confuses. They need to be able to tell if a 30% off deal is better than a buy one get one at half price deal. They need to be able to double a recipe to feed more. They need to be able to decide if a 15 oz can at 1.00 is a better deal than 2 8oz cans at .59.
Teach them these things first. Then worry about higher math