Re: [Phys-l] Ca mandates 8th-grade algebra test

["Paul Lulai" <plulai@stanthony.k12.mn.us>]

<<<<< Mark S states:
The push for "algebra for everyone" comes from those who believe that everyone needs to have a college degree to be successful
end >>>>>
 
I've also had folks use, "what, don't you believe that everyone can learn?!"  That crowd typically doesn't like the reply, "everyone can learn, but not at the same rate. "
 
 
Paul Lulai
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________________________________

From: phys-l-bounces@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu on behalf of Shapiro, Mark
Sent: Thu 7/10/2008 1:30 PM
To: Forum for Physics Educators; Forum for Physics Educators
Subject: Re: [Phys-l] Ca mandates 8th-grade algebra test



Dear Colleagues,

While it would be nice if all eighth-grade students could master algebra, I think this is a very unrealistic goal.  Algebra actually is a fairly abstract subject, if taught correctly, and many high-school students don't have the abstract reasoning skills necessary to understand the concepts.

These students would be better served, in my opinion, by math courses that are of a more practical nature.

The push for "algebra for everyone" comes from those who believe that everyone needs to have a college degree to be successful.

Mark


-----Original Message-----
From: phys-l-bounces@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu on behalf of Wes Davis
Sent: Thu 7/10/2008 10:13 AM
To: Forum for Physics Educators
Subject: Re: [Phys-l] Ca mandates 8th-grade algebra test

and, because they have 'passed' Algebra I in 8th grade, they move through
the math classes in HS, arriving in  AP Calculus operating on an Algebra I
level.


----- Original Message -----
From: "Robert Yeend" <ryeend@sbcglobal.net>
To: "Forum for Physics Educators" <phys-l@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu>
Cc: "Nancy Seese" <nancyseese@redshift.com>; "Sharing resources for high
school physics" <PHYSHARE@lists.psu.edu>
Sent: Thursday, July 10, 2008 10:03 AM
Subject: [Phys-l] Ca mandates 8th-grade algebra test


> As a high school math and science teacher, I think the push of
> algebra into grade school is one of the major mistakes of education.
>
> I once substituted a sixth grade standard math class in which the
> topic for the week was algebraic inequalities - talk about absurd!
>
> IMHO, this is the major reason so many students arrive at high school
> functionally innumerate.
>
> Bob Yeend
> Justin-Siena H.S.
> Napa, CA

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