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

["Shapiro, Mark" <mshapiro@Exchange.FULLERTON.EDU>]

Dear Paul et al.,

I agree with you that "everyone can learn, but not at the same rate", but I would extend that to say "everyone can learn, but not at the same rate, and perhaps not every subject".

There are plenty of people who never really develop abstract reasoning skills to the level needed to learn algebra.  This doesn't mean that they will be unsuccessful in life, since they most likely have other skills that are just as important.

Mark

Dr. Mark H. Shapiro
Professor of Physics, Emeritus
California State University, Fullerton
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FAX: 714 278-5810
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web: http://physics.fullerton.edu/~mshapiro 
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-----Original Message-----
From: phys-l-bounces@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu [mailto:phys-l-bounces@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu] On Behalf Of Paul Lulai
Sent: Thursday, July 10, 2008 1:30 PM
To: Forum for Physics Educators
Subject: Re: [Phys-l] Ca mandates 8th-grade algebra test

<<<<< 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
Physics Teacher
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plulai@stanthony.k12.mn.us
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http://www.stanthony.k12.mn.us/hsscience/ <http://www.stanthony.k12.mn.us/hsscience/>  
  
  

________________________________

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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