The Conservative Cave
Current Events => The DUmpster => Topic started by: Freeper on February 04, 2013, 08:14:10 PM
-
alp227 (18,545 posts)
California abandons algebra requirement for eighth-graders
By falling in line with other states, California is abandoning its push for all eighth-graders to take algebra.
Last month, the State Board of Education unanimously shifted away from a 15-year policy of expecting eighth-graders to take Algebra I. The state will allow them to take either Algebra I or an alternate course that includes some algebra. New state standardized tests will focus on the alternate course -- the same one adopted by most states under the Common Core curriculum being rolled out across the nation.
Supporters welcome the change as more in line with current practice, of schools offering two tracks of math for eighth-graders. But critics fear that the new standard will let schools avoid offering rigorous courses for all. They point to a report released last week showing that some schools are not placing black and Latino students in advanced math courses even when they're prepared.
The change is controversial because success in Algebra I is the single best predictor of college graduation.
full: http://www.mercurynews.com/news/ci_22509069/california-abandons-algebra-requirement-eighth-graders
In a nation where even professors can argue with a straight face against teaching algebra, this will only ____ students over in the less wealthy areas.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022313690
You don't need algebra to use an EBT card.
kestrel91316 (43,898 posts)
2. What on earth are they thinking??? Do they not want CA HS graduates to get into good universities??
This is what happens when liberals are in charge. Things like algebra are no longer important. The only math you need is to make sure your EBT card has the right amount every month.
-
Algebra is hate!
-
As long as they know that 2 + 2 = potato why would they need any type of math at all?
-
Illinois has vastly more lax standards than that, or they used to anyway. Algebra 1 wasn't a standard offering for 8th graders, but three of us took the course with the freshman class. I still had to take 8th grade math while also taking Algebra 1.
-
Illinois has vastly more lax standards than that, or they used to anyway. Algebra 1 wasn't a standard offering for 8th graders, but three of us took the course with the freshman class. I still had to take 8th grade math while also taking Algebra 1.
When I was in school if you were taking college prep courses Algebra 1 was required in 8th grade. In 9th grade Algebra 2 could be replaced by Geometry. I took Geometry in 9th and Algebra 2 in 10th.
-
I guess standards are a little more lax here in Red State Hell, but I don't ever remember algebra being a requirement for 8th graders.
They may teach it in California, but that doesn't mean the students will pass the class.
-
I guess standards are a little more lax here in Red State Hell, but I don't ever remember algebra being a requirement for 8th graders.
They may teach it in California, but that doesn't mean the students will pass the class.
They grade on the circle. A more forgiving form of the curve.
-
The state will allow them to take either Algebra I or an alternate course that includes some algebra. New state standardized tests will focus on the alternate course -- the same one adopted by most states under the Common Core curriculum being rolled out across the nation.
Common Core, adopted by 45 states, is another Obama and Company dream come true. (Indiana is currently trying to back out of it). If you have kids or grandkids in school, best to keep a watch on this new curriculum. It's just been implemented this past year, so I don't know how many people even know about it.
-
I don't think I know algebra. I probably did at one point. I hope I don't need it for my masters. I'm in for a world of hurt if I do.
-
I started HS in AUG, 1977. They didn't offer Algebra I until freshman year. I took the equivalent of Pre-Algebra in 8th grade. They didn't offer a Calculus class until after I graduated HS. I took the equivalent of Pre-Calculus as a Senior at the end of Trigonometery. I went on to take three semesters of College level (5 credit hour) Calculus courses, Differential Equations, Linear/Matrix Algelbra, Numerical Methods, and a host of other Physics and electronic circuit theory courses that went beyond the math in my Calculus courses. I did alright without formally taking Algebra I in 8th grade.
A move away from Algebra I in 8th grade would appear to be a step backward.
My son is in 7th grade Pre-Algebra and will be taking Algebra I next year in the 8th grade. He has an old Dad compared to most of his classmates.
My brother-in-law is a PhD Physics professor over in IL. He has complained for several years that the students coming into college don't have the math skills needed for higher science classes.
-
I don't think I know algebra. I probably did at one point. I hope I don't need it for my masters. I'm in for a world of hurt if I do.
What is your major?
-
What is your major?
Pastoral studies
-
Pastoral studies
The only reason that they would require Algebra would be to demonstrate problem solving.
-
Pastoral studies
At least you didn't say "Psychology". Those people are in the major for "Self-help." :-)
-
I had to take algebra in college because my HS grades/test scores weren't enough to keep me out of remedial math classes.
The only thing I learned about math in college is how to apply a formula and set of rules to a data set. Ditto for calculus. Once you have that down, algebra is pretty damn easy.
-
Would A2 + B2 = C2 be Algebra or Geometry?
-
I had to take algebra in college because my HS grades/test scores weren't enough to keep me out of remedial math classes.
The only thing I learned about math in college is how to apply a formula and set of rules to a data set. Ditto for calculus. Once you have that down, algebra is pretty damn easy.
My son gets frustrated because he wants to know why those equations and rules exisit. The only problem is that the answer usually calculus to explain it for which he is not ready.
-
Would A2 + B2 = C2 be Algebra or Geometry?
It's actually geometry but the expression is algebraic. Therefore, the answer to your question is BOTH.
-
I wondered the same thing at first until I "got" it. I guess the only thing I can add is that algebra is a basic foundation of math, like arithmetic.
I agree, things don't start getting interesting until you get into calculus. Until then, it's all just plugging numbers into formulas and coming up with an answer. Pretty simple stuff once you have it down.
-
It's actually geometry but the expression is algebraic. Therefore, the answer to your question is BOTH.
Booyah.
-
Booyah.
:tongue:
-
Algebra is hate!
That shouldn't be :rotf:
But, it is.
-
It's actually geometry but the expression is algebraic. Therefore, the answer to your question is BOTH.
I think it's more applicable to geometry . I can remember having to try and find different whole number solutions to it in Geometry class.
It's just recently I learned there are a couple of ways of doing it that are quite simple.
-
I use algabra, trig and calc every day at work, learned the basics for all starting in Jr High (7-9th grade)
-
Yeah, but you probably do something interesting and/or useful at work. I just feel like I replace hard drives. :tongue:
-
A move away from Algebra I in 8th grade would appear to be a step backward.
Your probably right.
My son is in 7th grade Pre-Algebra and will be taking Algebra I next year in the 8th grade. He has an old Dad compared to most of his classmates.
Not if your state has adopted the "Common Core" curriculum.
This is part of an article regarding a school district in PA;
During discussion, school director Larry Feinberg said many states agreed to adopt Common Core because the Obama administration “provided incentives and money. There are people, including myself, who consider this dramatic overreach by the federal government.†Feinberg maintained the new standards have not been tested and may not prove superior to current practice. And “One of the strengths of American education has been local control. There is no local control under this,†said Feinberg.
http://www.delcotimes.com/articles/2013/01/31/news/doc5109dfe9c2799254086070.txt
-
The only thing I learned about math in public school is that the current school year is spent relearning what was taught the previous year.
Welcome to the "progressive" America, where progress is a joke.
-
I had to take algebra 1 over two years (1A and 1B) since I suck horribly at math. Failed out of Algebra 2 after 1 semester. Now I'm working on my Masters. Go figure.
Although I have to take 2 semesters of stats, so I'm kind of dreading that.
-
I had to take calculus twice. I was okay with algebra and applied physics. :(
-
If those idiots want a job at any of the silicon valley companies they are going to need more then Algebra to get in.
-
If those idiots want a job at any of the silicon valley companies they are going to need more then Algebra to get in.
:racist:
:whatever:
-
:racist:
:whatever:
Normally one would say idiots are not a race but then again look at DU.
-
I am pretty in MS I took Algebra in 8th or 9th grade. I took geometry in 10th and Calculus in 11th. Didn't need a math in 12th. I can't remember... I loved math so I was always ahead by a year or two.
-
Math is racist.
-
The application of the educational concept of Reading, Writing and Arithmetic worked before . Certainly if brought back it still can.
-
If those idiots want a job at any of the silicon valley companies they are going to need more then Algebra to get in.
I don't know how many kids I spoke to when I was recruiting who couldn't do basic algebra but were in Calculus, and then they'd act surprised when they got a 550 on the Math portion of their SAT I's.
I was the first year they offered Algebra to 8th graders, and first year they offered Calc in my HS. Damn but we got grilled, thank you very much Mr. McIntyre.
-
More dumbing down. I heard on the Rush morning update on the radio today, about the Harvard cheating scandal. Our best and brightest found a take-home test to be a bit too much, so they all cheated off each other, handing in identical answers with identical spelling mistakes.
I associate Algebra with a near-failure experience. I was doing just terrible in the class. Why? An extremely cute boy sat in front of me, flirted with me and made me laugh. Once I got the note sent home, along with a D mid-term, I ignored the boy and buckled down.
-
I sucked at algebra. Had to take pre algebra after I failed algebra the first time. Then I got the hang of it amd did okay. Had to spend one summer in summer school to catch up.
Took me 3 times to pass it in college. Thankfully, my wife's BF helped me and my professor was very patient. Even if I go back to school, I don't have to take it ever again.
-
I started Algebra in 6th grade. Do private schools still do this?
-
Would A2 + B2 = C2 be Algebra or Geometry?
Pythagorean. :-)
I wrote a program in BASIC to solve that problem. :old: Saved it on a cassette tape. :-)
-
Pythagorean. :-)
I wrote a program in BASIC to solve that problem. :old: Saved it on a cassette tape. :-)
Good luck getting THAT back.
-
My son is in 7th grade Pre-Algebra and will be taking Algebra I next year in the 8th grade. He has an old Dad compared to most of his classmates.
:lmao: You're not old. I was 63/64 when my son first took algebra in the eighth grade....he's taking college level calculus this his senior year and will get 3 hours college credit for it "IF" he attends a college that will accept it.
He's doing stuff right now that I didn't see until my second year of college.....antiderivatives.
-
I guess standards are a little more lax here in Red State Hell, but I don't ever remember algebra being a requirement for 8th graders.
They may teach it in California, but that doesn't mean the students will pass the class.
I took Algebra I in 7th grade, Geometry in in 8th, and Algebra II in 9th. But, I think the usual class for most 8th graders in my school was Pre-Algebra, and then most people took Algebra in 9th grade.
-
I wondered the same thing at first until I "got" it. I guess the only thing I can add is that algebra is a basic foundation of math, like arithmetic.
Indeed it is...Algebra is the one form of math that you actually need to understand to do most of the physical sciences beyond pure math itself, it was like a light dawning on me (A very long time ago) in Physics when I realized that you got the terms you needed at the end (Like Kg/cm2) by setting up all the other terms in the calculation to get the final terms you wanted by cancelling terms in the numerator and denominator as if they were operative variables themselves.
-
Pythagorean. :-)
I wrote a program in BASIC to solve that problem. :old: Saved it on a cassette tape. :-)
This isn't a program, but a simple method for finding Pythagorean sets.
2XY = A
X2-Y2 = B
X2+Y2 = C
X>Y
-
I knew more about Algebra,Geometry and Calculus in HS than I do now even though I use them every day at work, thanks to that damned Mircosoft Excel, Matlab and graphing calculators. I doubt very much I could now "show the work" although I can get the answer.
-
:lmao: You're not old. I was 63/64 when my son first took algebra in the eighth grade....he's taking college level calculus this his senior year and will get 3 hours college credit for it "IF" he attends a college that will accept it.
He's doing stuff right now that I didn't see until my second year of college.....antiderivatives.
I'll be 50 this summer. I'm 10-15 years older thna most other parents of my son's classmates.
I was introduced to derivatives and anti-derivatives at the end of Trigonometry as a senior on HS. We didn't have a formal Calculus class offered in my school until after I was in college.
As a 7th grader, my son is working problems that I didn't see until I was a freshman in HS.
-
Good luck getting THAT back.
Actually, there's someone in CA going around to companies and upgrading all their data into new formats...he's got everything from the old punch card and paper tape readers, cassettes, etc., and puts it on memory stick or hard drives.
And apparently he's making some pretty damned good money at it too.