Algebra is required to study calculus and many other subject. Algebra is good example to abstract your ideas, to synthesize and to get a conclusion from observations.

If Mr.Cohen hasn’t used algebra at all in his life, that’s perfectly fine. But the way Mr.Cohen said “Algebra is no good” is to synthesize information or to get conclusion from Mr.Cohen observations in his life, which is exactly the core purpose of school algebra lessons.

1. What, as a nation, would we like to assume people know if they have a high school diploma? (As a business owner, what would you want to assume from an applicant with a high school diploma?) Personally, I would hope that a student could read, write, and communicate in a basic way. I separate communicate because some students can read words and have no idea what they mean. A similar argument could be made for writing.

I would also hope that students have some basic numeracy – most of which is covered before Algebra but reviewed in an Algebra 1 course. (Which is more $5 or $50? If you get paid $9.50 an hour, how many hours will you have to work to pay for rent, food, transportation, and taxes?)

Not all topics presented in an Algebra course will come up later in life. (Except in higher level math courses I have had to take, I have not factored a polynomial in my life.) However, I do believe working with factoring and other, more subtle, techniques in Algbera I have obtained a deeper understanding of the original Algebra. (Do I have proof, no.)

2. What can we do in order to reach the students who are slipping through the cracks? The students who are reaching high school with a very socially accepted hatred of decimals and fractions? (I use decimals a lot in life – working with change is working with some basic decimals.) Not all students need to be Algebra pros, but I rarely believe a 15 year-old is capable of making a decision to cut off future careers due to one course. If I had been given that ability I would never have taken the required four years of math at my high school. (private, yes.)

3. How can we connect students who have not been able to succeed in a traditional setting with the skills they might need to complete job training or job requirements after school? Someone commented on this particular girl, I believe, going to a vocational training program which was discussed in the original LA Times article. Something said rings true – she probably will not cut over 60% of those classes and will probably learn some of the Algebra and reading skills she will need in that job. How should schools be preparing students for these alternative tracks?

Just some thoughts.

Rob I.

But don’t kid yourself, at least 90% of people have no need whatsover for algebra once they get out of school. For certain fields and occupations, of course it is necessary but not for most, who only need the math skills learned in elementary school. Algebra is no more the path to “intellectual enlightment” than many other types of learning. It only seems so to those who are good at it.

If only you’d taken some proper math courses, you wouldn’t have to make such a fool of yourself. You’ve failed to understand the very simple logic in a very simple statement.

I’d try to explain it to you (as others have) — but you’ve already stridently insisted that you don’t see any need to understand such useless abstractions.

Thank you for illustrating the point so clearly.