NYT: Is Algebra Necessary

[Deleted]

www.nytimes.com/2012/07/29/opinion/sunday/is-algebra-necessary.html?hp

It is long.

I've C&P the 1st page.

Is Algebra Necessary?

Adam Hayes
By ANDREW HACKER
Published: July 28, 2012 70 Comments
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A TYPICAL American school day finds some six million high school students and two million college freshmen struggling with algebra. In both high school and college, all too many students are expected to fail. Why do we subject American students to this ordeal? I’ve found myself moving toward the strong view that we shouldn’t.

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My question extends beyond algebra and applies more broadly to the usual mathematics sequence, from geometry through calculus. State regents and legislators — and much of the public — take it as self-evident that every young person should be made to master polynomial functions and parametric equations.

There are many defenses of algebra and the virtue of learning it. Most of them sound reasonable on first hearing; many of them I once accepted. But the more I examine them, the clearer it seems that they are largely or wholly wrong — unsupported by research or evidence, or based on wishful logic. (I’m not talking about quantitative skills, critical for informed citizenship and personal finance, but a very different ballgame.)

This debate matters. Making mathematics mandatory prevents us from discovering and developing young talent. In the interest of maintaining rigor, we’re actually depleting our pool of brainpower. I say this as a writer and social scientist whose work relies heavily on the use of numbers. My aim is not to spare students from a difficult subject, but to call attention to the real problems we are causing by misdirecting precious resources.

The toll mathematics takes begins early. To our nation’s shame, one in four ninth graders fail to finish high school. In South Carolina, 34 percent fell away in 2008-9, according to national data released last year; for Nevada, it was 45 percent. Most of the educators I’ve talked with cite algebra as the major academic reason.

Shirley Bagwell, a longtime Tennessee teacher, warns that “to expect all students to master algebra will cause more students to drop out.” For those who stay in school, there are often “exit exams,” almost all of which contain an algebra component. In Oklahoma, 33 percent failed to pass last year, as did 35 percent in West Virginia.

Algebra is an onerous stumbling block for all kinds of students: disadvantaged and affluent, black and white. In New Mexico, 43 percent of white students fell below “proficient,” along with 39 percent in Tennessee. Even well-endowed schools have otherwise talented students who are impeded by algebra, to say nothing of calculus and trigonometry.

California’s two university systems, for instance, consider applications only from students who have taken three years of mathematics and in that way exclude many applicants who might excel in fields like art or history. Community college students face an equally prohibitive mathematics wall. A study of two-year schools found that fewer than a quarter of their entrants passed the algebra classes they were required to take.

“There are students taking these courses three, four, five times,” says Barbara Bonham of Appalachian State University. While some ultimately pass, she adds, “many drop out.”

Another dropout statistic should cause equal chagrin. Of all who embark on higher education, only 58 percent end up with bachelor’s degrees. The main impediment to graduation: freshman math. The City University of New York, where I have taught since 1971, found that 57 percent of its students didn’t pass its mandated algebra course. The depressing conclusion of a faculty report: “failing math at all levels affects retention more than any other academic factor.” A national sample of transcripts found mathematics had twice as many F’s and D’s compared as other subjects.

Nor will just passing grades suffice. Many colleges seek to raise their status by setting a high mathematics bar. Hence, they look for 700 on the math section of the SAT, a height attained in 2009 by only 9 percent of men and 4 percent of women. And it’s not just Ivy League colleges that do this: at schools like Vanderbilt, Rice and Washington University in St. Louis, applicants had best be legacies or athletes if they have scored less than 700 on their math SATs.

[pamela]

Expecting students to master algebra could only cause that level of dropouts if we continue to completely neglect actual learning at young ages. Of course kids are going to just quit and give up because it's too hard when they are first expected to actually learn something as teenagers when they've just been passed along for a decade.

[SusanBAnthony]

I didn't read it but, um, yes. Of course it is necessary. In daily life, no. To be a generally well educated person who can handle math related tasks a a job,yes.

[sweettooth]

Call me crazy, but I think too much emphasis is put on algebra and geometry. It seems clear that some of that energy needs to go into personal finance and business math. People DO use (or should) personal finance every day. Obviously, there are career paths that need a strong math background in algebra, geometry, trig, and calculus, but not everyone needs four straight years of that level. We have a lot of students who don't go to college or go for a year or so. Those students could benefit from a mix of traditional math and more time on loans, saving, spending, and understanding what is a scam.

[Deleted]

Jul 29, 2012 8:55:13 GMT -5 sweettooth said:

Call me crazy, but I think too much emphasis is put on algebra and geometry. It seems clear that some of that energy needs to go into personal finance and business math. People DO use (or should) personal finance every day. Obviously, there are career paths that need a strong math background in algebra, geometry, trig, and calculus, but not everyone needs four straight years of that level. We have a lot of students who don't go to college or go for a year or so. Those students could benefit from a mix of traditional math and more time on loans, saving, spending, and understanding what is a scam.

I agree with this to a certain extent. I'd add more finance courses.

[ttt]

Jul 29, 2012 8:55:13 GMT -5 sweettooth said:

Call me crazy, but I think too much emphasis is put on algebra and geometry. It seems clear that some of that energy needs to go into personal finance and business math. People DO use (or should) personal finance every day. Obviously, there are career paths that need a strong math background in algebra, geometry, trig, and calculus, but not everyone needs four straight years of that level. We have a lot of students who don't go to college or go for a year or so. Those students could benefit from a mix of traditional math and more time on loans, saving, spending, and understanding what is a scam.

I agree with this. I think its ridiculous to obsess over students learning trigonometry while not caring that they have no idea how to calculate an interest rate.

[Michelle]

I agree with sweettooth that some practical skills classes like finance should be added. But isn't algebra the basis of the math for all of those areas? I am so not a math major and only took 2 math courses in college (if you count stats as a match class). But aren't proportions, percentages, graphing basic numbers, etc. covered in algebra? I don't understand how anyone can live life without understanding those essentials. They are used in cooking, in calculating unit costs while shopping for the best "true cost" of grocery items, etc. Algebra is like the foundation of home economics, if I'm remembering it correctly.

It wasn't until Algebra 2 that we were using the quadratic equation and other than being able to brag that I still remember it because i can sing it according to the theme song of gilligan's island, I don't remember using the quadratic equation in life...

As for geometry - I use it all the time in creative pursuits like sewing and crafts. Understanding how to calculate angles is a huge part of piecing together fabrics for sewing or building basic wood working pieces.

[meg]

I use algebra regularly in my job and I don't have some math or science/tech based job. Mostly I write quotes.

That said, I strongly believe that algebra is largely a critical thinking skill. Basic algebraic principles can be applied in many other areas of life.

Other upper level math? Maybe not so much. I don't really use geometry much at all, for example, and definitely don't use calc.

re: the article. I agree with Pamela that the answer here isn't to stop giving a shit about Algebra but to focus on the importance of math from a younger age. And for me personally that would mean focusing less of rote memorization of your tables and more on theory (I was in remedial math for the tables etc and once we got to 'norma;' theory based math, I was in advanced but by then I already hated it).

[IIOY]

What a strange article. So because American students struggle with algebra, we should stop teaching it? This truly is the entitlement mentality writ large. Algebra isn't composed of bizarre, rarely-encountered concepts utilized only by those who are actually teaching it; it is incorporated into everyday life.

How do students in other nations fare in algebra? Do they struggle to the same degree? If not, perhaps the manner in which Americans struggle says more about how it is taught than about its utility.

Dumbing down our educational standards needs a better basis than that Americans don't seem to be getting it.

[Michelle]

Jul 29, 2012 9:43:16 GMT -5 meg said:

I use algebra regularly in my job and I don't have some math or science/tech based job. Mostly I write quotes.

That said, I strongly believe that algebra is largely a critical thinking skill. Basic algebraic principles can be applied in many other areas of life.

Other upper level math? Maybe not so much. I don't really use geometry much at all, for example, and definitely don't use calc.

Since "Logic" isn't a class, I think geometry is really important too. The geometry proofs help students develop basic foundations in logic and reasoning.

[meg]

Oh I didn't mean to imply that we should get rid of geometry. Just that I don't see it directly used as much (but then again I sucked at geometry! I remember noticing in HS that usually people excelled at one or the other but not both).

I don't buy that not using something in day to day life makes it unnecessary to teach; but I DO think that algebra is everywhere.

[dirtyred]

Algebra is a class that teaches THINKING along with math. It's probably the first class that students in America take where they really have to think, not just memorize and spit back. That's why everyone hates word problems--it's not all spelled out for you, you have to use your brain and figure out what is being asked and then construct a way to get the answer.

No one likes to think; it's too hard!

[Michelle]

Jul 29, 2012 9:51:46 GMT -5 meg said:

Oh I didn't mean to imply that we should get rid of geometry. Just that I don't see it directly used as much (but then again I sucked at geometry! I remember noticing in HS that usually people excelled at one or the other but not both).

I don't buy that not using something in day to day life makes it unnecessary to teach; but I DO think that algebra is everywhere.

Gotcha. Agree with both points in bold. I had to practice algebra a lot to get it right. Geometry came naturally. I was that geek who got a 100% in Geometry at the end of the semester. And Chem 1. But not algebra OR biology. Example #972 how I am not normal.

[Deleted]

Jul 29, 2012 10:10:56 GMT -5 Michelle said:

Jul 29, 2012 9:51:46 GMT -5 meg said:

Oh I didn't mean to imply that we should get rid of geometry. Just that I don't see it directly used as much (but then again I sucked at geometry! I remember noticing in HS that usually people excelled at one or the other but not both).

I don't buy that not using something in day to day life makes it unnecessary to teach; but I DO think that algebra is everywhere.

Gotcha. Agree with both points in bold. I had to practice algebra a lot to get it right. Geometry came naturally. I was that geek who got a 100% in Geometry at the end of the semester. And Chem 1. But not algebra OR biology. Example #972 how I am not normal.

I had an awful time with Geometry, but figured it had something to do with being 13 and not 15 like the rest of my class. My brain just wasn't there developmentally

[EllieArroway]

We need to be teaching algebra earlier, not getting rid of it. I think introducing the idea of symbols as numbers at a younger age would go a long way to helping kids develop critical thinking skills which is one area where we are failing right now. I hate that so much of our education system right now is just memorizing facts. That's not learning. Algebra forces kids to actually think about problems, which is a critical skill in the real world.

[Deleted]

Jul 29, 2012 10:36:22 GMT -5 EllieArroway said:

We need to be teaching algebra earlier, not getting rid of it. I think introducing the idea of symbols as numbers at a younger age would go a long way to helping kids develop critical thinking skills which is one area where we are failing right now. I hate that so much of our education system right now is just memorizing facts. That's not learning. Algebra forces kids to actually think about problems, which is a critical skill in the real world.

I think they have. Our district uses a variation of singapore math and DS had "algebraic" thinking worksheets this past year. He also had logic problems that looked like LSAT logic games and he was only in 1st grade.

[Michelle]

Jul 29, 2012 10:39:22 GMT -5 @septimus said:

Jul 29, 2012 10:36:22 GMT -5 EllieArroway said:

We need to be teaching algebra earlier, not getting rid of it. I think introducing the idea of symbols as numbers at a younger age would go a long way to helping kids develop critical thinking skills which is one area where we are failing right now. I hate that so much of our education system right now is just memorizing facts. That's not learning. Algebra forces kids to actually think about problems, which is a critical skill in the real world.

I think they have. Our district uses a variation of singapore math and DS had "algebraic" thinking worksheets this past year. He also had logic problems that looked like LSAT logic games and he was only in 1st grade.

I'm hoping this trend continues. I was super impressed that my kid (who starts Kindergarten in a few weeks) sat down and was writing out addition and subtraction problems for fun. My mom was dumbfounded that she was writing 7+9=16 and 12-9=3. I didn't do subtraction until 1st grade.

But her whole (eta: preK) class can do it so it's not like she is a genius - just exposed earlier and not having difficulty with it.

[sweettooth]

Let me say that Algebra was one of my favorite classes in school and I'm sure that most of the people on this board did well in math classes and may use what they learned regularly now. However, remember this is an article about all people. Think of some of the things you read on other boards--do you think the same is true for some of those people? Think about how many jobs don't utilize those lessons. I don't think that anyone is saying to get rid of it, but are there other classes that could be substituted for SOME of the math that is now required? Do all students need the same requirements? If some barely squeak by and forget what they learned is it valuable? Ask some adults what they actually remember and see.

ETA: I agree that we need to teach thinking skills, but could that be done in other ways in other classes? Could a consumer class also address those by showing that the pizza that is charged on a credit card and not paid for at the end of the month is very costly and showing the math as related to interest? Could decision making be discussed in terms of buying A as opposed to B or paying cash as opposed to taking out a loan? Could reading the items on a contract before signing it and looking out for red flags be also a way of teaching thinking skills and logic?

[Deleted]

Jul 29, 2012 11:12:24 GMT -5 sweettooth said:

Let me say that Algebra was one of my favorite classes in school and I'm sure that most of the people on this board did well in math classes and may use what they learned regularly now. However, remember this is an article about all people. Think of some of the things you read on other boards--do you think the same is true for some of those people? Think about how many jobs don't utilize those lessons. I don't think that anyone is saying to get rid of it, but are there other classes that could be substituted for SOME of the math that is now required? Do all students need the same requirements? If some barely squeak by and forget what they learned is it valuable? Ask some adults what they actually remember and see.

I'm not sure if it is taught or can be taught but a big issue is learning to think "critically". I think Algebra helps with that skill.

Do we substitute Algebra for Bertrand Russell?

[Michelle]

it seems to me that in my mom's generation a course that covered personal finance was called "home economics." Granted cooking skills were included but it was a course about running a good home which included balancing your checkbook, not purchasing too much on credit, etc. Bring this class back with some Dave Ramsey principles (non-preachy ones) and I think it'd build great skills for students as they enter the world.

[meg]

Jul 29, 2012 11:12:24 GMT -5 sweettooth said:

Let me say that Algebra was one of my favorite classes in school and I'm sure that most of the people on this board did well in math classes and may use what they learned regularly now. However, remember this is an article about all people. Think of some of the things you read on other boards--do you think the same is true for some of those people? Think about how many jobs don't utilize those lessons. I don't think that anyone is saying to get rid of it, but are there other classes that could be substituted for SOME of the math that is now required? Do all students need the same requirements? If some barely squeak by and forget what they learned is it valuable? Ask some adults what they actually remember and see.

ETA: I agree that we need to teach thinking skills, but could that be done in other ways in other classes? Could a consumer class also address those by showing that the pizza that is charged on a credit card and not paid for at the end of the month is very costly and showing the math as related to interest? Could decision making be discussed in terms of buying A as opposed to B or paying cash as opposed to taking out a loan? Could reading the items on a contract before signing it and looking out for red flags be also a way of teaching thinking skills and logic?

IMO algebra is prevalent in life though... not just desk jobs. As ops have mentioned, it is a cornerstone to home ec... cooking, grocery shopping etc. THe basic principles are in our modern lives.

I do agree that 'life skills' classes would be very useful for high schoolers of all levels. Those continuing on to higher ed and those joining the work force... budgeting, understanding a contract, basic info on how credit works. I know people my age who got caught in high interest credit cards in college in droves would have really benefitted from learning the basics. I just don't think that needs to replace algebra.

[sweettooth]

Ok--let me ask this. Go into Walmart and look around. How many of those people remember anything about algebra or use it?

[ttt]

Jul 29, 2012 11:20:03 GMT -5 @littlemoxie said:

I sucked at algebra and never use it now. My school didn't have trig or calc. I managed to graduate from an Ivy league law school and made 6 figures right after that. So although it hasn't held me back, I still wish I had learned it better and do not feel as comfortable with numbers as I should.

I still think its necessary, and think that while basic personal finance is important, it should not be added if it takes from algebra and geometry.

If you understand the basics, a personal finance "course" can be a one week class for extra credit or something.

I totally disagree. I don't think personal finance should be extra - it should be one of th basics. While your average person may or may not benefit in life from mastering algebra and geometry, they will almost certainly benefit from personal finance. And the consequences of not understanding personal finance are far more dire and far more concrete than the consequences of not knowing how to calculate the circumfrence of a circle.

[Deleted]

Jul 29, 2012 12:03:46 GMT -5 sweettooth said:

Ok--let me ask this. Go into Walmart and look around. How many of those people remember anything about algebra or use it?

i think you'd be surprised how much algebra you use in daily life.

Staffing schedules? Moving supplies? Purchasing? Even the cashier

[heliocentric]

Did everyone read the entire article or just the excerpt? I think the entire article presents the argument better.

The author still thinks critical thinking skills, other types of (more-relavant) math & "quantitative reasoning" should be taught. I"m not sure the author is right or not, but I think it's an interesting argument and something to consider.

[meg]

Just because you can't regurgitate formulae or the principles involved in a given topic doesn't mean you didn't retain the basic understanding.

I mean, making change uses algebra.
Really the general overall concepts that you isolate to solve for X is a concept that can be applied outside of math. If you are trying to make a life decision, trying to isolate the important issues is the same logic you use in algebra.

[sweettooth]

Jul 29, 2012 12:33:36 GMT -5 meg said:

Just because you can't regurgitate formulae or the principles involved in a given topic doesn't mean you didn't retain the basic understanding.

I mean, making change uses algebra.
Really the general overall concepts that you isolate to solve for X is a concept that can be applied outside of math. If you are trying to make a life decision, trying to isolate the important issues is the same logic you use in algebra.

But--is algebra the only way to teach that? From my post above: I agree that we need to teach thinking skills, but could that be done in other ways in other classes? Could a consumer class also address those by showing that the pizza that is charged on a credit card and not paid for at the end of the month is very costly and showing the math as related to interest? Could decision making be discussed in terms of buying A as opposed to B or paying cash as opposed to taking out a loan? Could reading the items on a contract before signing it and looking out for red flags be also a way of teaching thinking skills and logic? Can we not teach how to isolate the important issues in other ways?

We teach students how to find the main idea of a paragraph or essay without algebra, because they learn that before algebra. Some people will always use algebra, but if others could learn logic, reasoning, and critical thinking skills in a way that is more easily understood for them and retained, maybe some people wouldn't make such bad choices. Algebra doesn't seem to be helping some people out there. Different people learn in different ways.

Read more: pandce.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=37716#ixzz222Dmheiz

[meg]

Much of that math you mention DOES involve basic algebra though.

I think we will just have to disagree on this one. Im sure there are people out there who didn't learn the subject well now, but my argument is that it would benefit everyone long term in their lives. Learning the nitty gritty of algebra (or any other basic concept like basic grammar or whatever) will engrain the general concepts and way of thinking. I do think that math education needs to be improved overall (and from the sounds of what parents are saying, maybe we are on our way). I don't think that because some people didn't learn the subject well means that most people would not benefit from it.

Im not sure why teaching 'life skills' and teaching algebra has to be one or the other.

[meshaliuknits]

I use algebra every time I knit something or when I estimate how long it will take me to get somewhere. It comes up more often than you'd think.

Calc on the other hand I haven't used since my last physics class.

Sent from my EVO

[lys]

Yes, absolutely necessary. If we want to compete in the world - then we have a long way to go.
Heck, even carpenters use geometry daily. Are going to set our standards by the lowest common denominator?