I take it that arithmetic's basic functions (division, fractions, percentages,etc) would be taught to all. But I take it that calculus is where the higher level math starts?
Alas, likely the equity groupies would not permit that....and the more talented math students would be tracked-down.
I went to high school a long time ago, before the days of “differentiated learning” and of hostility toward tracking. It was possible to graduate from high school in Minnesota back then having taken only algebra 1, in 9th grade, plus a semester-long course called Consumer Math, which taught about compound interest, how to save money and avoid debt, and practical arithmetic for balancing your checkbook and keeping a basic balance sheet at work. While I was on the college-prep track, many of my friends took Consumer Math, enjoyed it, and got a lot out of it. One Consumer Math alum is a corporate trainer, one is a lawyer, and one is an accountant, for example.
To paraphrase Malcolm Gladwell’s line about the push to make kids read before they’re ready, it’s not like we’re going to run out of numbers if we don’t make kids take advanced math in high school. The students with an interest in and aptitude for math can learn it later, and those who have neither an interest nor the aptitude will not miss it.
Do most people not need high-level, abstract math? I think it depends on what you mean. If most people had a basic understanding of probability and statistics, it would be a lot harder to fool the population for political and commercial purposes.
I took AP Calculus in 12th grade, passed the AP test, went on to a liberal arts degree and never took math again other than one stats class in college. I argue that this was an incredibly stupid way to approach math, even for a college bound student who graduated high school at age 17. I honestly can’t remember the first thing about any of the math I learned in high school, and don’t really understand things like compound interest well. On the other hand, my oldest daughter loves math and wants to go into some sort of engineering field. She’s learning algebra now in middle school and I think it’s good that that’s available to her.
In Ontario, we could stop taking math at Grade 10 I believe – English was the only mandatory subject through Grade 13. Above that there were two years of general math, and then specialised Calculus, Algebra and Finite Math courses for those who wanted them. I used to think this was crazy but maybe it makes sense after all?
What is considered higher-level math?
I take it that arithmetic's basic functions (division, fractions, percentages,etc) would be taught to all. But I take it that calculus is where the higher level math starts?
Alas, likely the equity groupies would not permit that....and the more talented math students would be tracked-down.
Is book club over?
I went to high school a long time ago, before the days of “differentiated learning” and of hostility toward tracking. It was possible to graduate from high school in Minnesota back then having taken only algebra 1, in 9th grade, plus a semester-long course called Consumer Math, which taught about compound interest, how to save money and avoid debt, and practical arithmetic for balancing your checkbook and keeping a basic balance sheet at work. While I was on the college-prep track, many of my friends took Consumer Math, enjoyed it, and got a lot out of it. One Consumer Math alum is a corporate trainer, one is a lawyer, and one is an accountant, for example.
To paraphrase Malcolm Gladwell’s line about the push to make kids read before they’re ready, it’s not like we’re going to run out of numbers if we don’t make kids take advanced math in high school. The students with an interest in and aptitude for math can learn it later, and those who have neither an interest nor the aptitude will not miss it.
I wish I could put a picture of my puppy here as she inspired my "Comment of the Week." Thank you for inspiring it and noticing it.--Kathleen
Do most people not need high-level, abstract math? I think it depends on what you mean. If most people had a basic understanding of probability and statistics, it would be a lot harder to fool the population for political and commercial purposes.
Thanks, that would be fine with me.
I took AP Calculus in 12th grade, passed the AP test, went on to a liberal arts degree and never took math again other than one stats class in college. I argue that this was an incredibly stupid way to approach math, even for a college bound student who graduated high school at age 17. I honestly can’t remember the first thing about any of the math I learned in high school, and don’t really understand things like compound interest well. On the other hand, my oldest daughter loves math and wants to go into some sort of engineering field. She’s learning algebra now in middle school and I think it’s good that that’s available to her.
In Ontario, we could stop taking math at Grade 10 I believe – English was the only mandatory subject through Grade 13. Above that there were two years of general math, and then specialised Calculus, Algebra and Finite Math courses for those who wanted them. I used to think this was crazy but maybe it makes sense after all?