do you think they should require you to do math each year in high school?

Well when I was in school I took Pre-Algebra, Algebra 1, Geometry/more Algebra, Algebra 2, and Basic Math. The basic math class was because I failed Algebra 2 and I had the choice to either take it again or do a basic math course so of course I took the latter. All through high school I struggled with Algebra and Algebra 2 was just the breaking point, I didn't even pass algebra until I got in college. Not everyone is cut out to take the higher math courses and because of that they should be able to take other math courses that can prepare them for life. Point being, they should be able to take math courses that fit the needs of what they want to do in life.

What post-secondary schools require is totally up to them. I think you should be free to study whatever you want. In high school however, I think it's wise to expose young 14-18 year old students (American measurements here) to as many subjects as possible. People that age have no idea what they truly want to study, and if they do -- they're usually incorrect anyhow. And I do not consider pre-calc "advanced math" by any stretch of the imagination.musicalmac

And those with an aptitude for math should absolutely be exposed to more mathematics. But those who don't like it or aren't good at it shouldn't be. I think it's a huge waste of resources to try and make everyone some generic, well-rounded student.

You must be good at math, because pre-calc is far beyond my abilities as a student.

And those with an aptitude for math should absolutely be exposed to more mathematics. But those who don't like it or aren't good at it shouldn't be. I think it's a huge waste of resources to try and make everyone some generic, well-rounded student.

You must be good at math, because pre-calc is far beyond my abilities as a student.

airshocker

My apologies for saying too much about what qualifies as advanced math. I understand there are people out there who struggle with it. It shouldn't be required across the board for every student, maybe. But it should certainly be encouraged. However, making a student well-rounded is certainly a far cry from making them generic. Going to college today is like training for the olympics, without knowing which event you'll be participating in. I'm telling you, it's a brave new world. Best to be ready for anything.musicalmac

Absolutely, I think it should not only be encouraged, but rewarded to pursue science and mathematics. Sometimes highschoolers just don't understand the plethora of careers out there in the science and math fields and only see in the short-term. I also see that giving them too much choice in the matter can be detrimental, but we seriously have to try something new. The system isn't working as it is.

Wait, what? You don't need to take math every year? In Finnish high schools, you have to take math every term. Some terms more than one course.RK-Mara

Quick (honest) question:
Is everyone included in that list...ALL students/kids that age must do that???
Or are some students on different tracks at that age (ages 15-18 ) and not taking those cIasses?

As someone who was required to do it throughout all of my school so far (bar law) I think it's pretty useless to me. I suppose for those going into science related fields (non biology) it should be a requirement, but for me I so far have seen no practical benefit in having done over 5 years of math in secondary school. I guess the first year was ok, but everything after that I haven't used one bit. It should certainly be tied to certain electives but it should not be mandatory.

Dunno where u are, but i had to take a math class all 4 years. pre algebra, algebra, geometry and trig

Yes, summer too. Unless you want to fall further behind developed and developing countries.

Here in Florida we need four years of math.

I took geometry, Algebra 2, half a semester of Trig this year and now a full year of pre-calc online, and next year I plan to take AP Calc or AP Stats.

However, you could say that I excel a lot more than others around me.I plan to major in Engineering though so just preparing myself for those college level math courses.

Yes. Most people don't relize is that while most people aren't using math techniques for practical purposes,it does train ur brain for inproved mathematical abilities.This translates into being better with, u guessed it, money. Last time I checked money while being supposidly evil, is very important, and most people suck with it.

Judging by how bad people are with mindless spending, and mindless amounts of debt, I think people should take alot more math.

Usually if a mind can comprehend math easily then all the other subjects get toned down a bit.

Usually if a mind can comprehend math easily then all the other subjects get toned down a bit.

Jagged3dge

[QUOTE="Jagged3dge"]

Usually if a mind can comprehend math easily then all the other subjects get toned down a bit.

imaps3fanboy

It doesn't work the other way around :P

to get into a university here, you need like three years of upper division math but only a basic english class. So they get a bunch of people in school who can pass math but cant read or write, its so dumb.Allicrombie

Think about it, u can get a degree in math/science, and there are a ton of high paying jobs out there that want those degrees.

What can u do with an english degree? Teach? What else? If u were good in high school english, youre set.

They don't already? Wow our education system blows.

[QUOTE="imaps3fanboy"]

[QUOTE="Jagged3dge"]

Usually if a mind can comprehend math easily then all the other subjects get toned down a bit.

Jagged3dge

It doesn't work the other way around :P

I actually think high school math (in Canada) is far too slow. I finished the grade 12 calculus course by grade 11 and I've taken it upon myself to learn integration and 3D vectors. The course is made for those who don't plan on doing math in university. Thus, those who are quicker at grasping math are dragged down to a snail's pace.

It shouldn't be mandatory. I hate math and math hates me. I'm alright at figuring out simple things, albeit my own way lacking all formulas. Math just doesn't click in my mind. I'm more of an abstract thinker and that's why I chose to get a degree in Psychology with a B.A. instead of a B.S. so I would have less math to take. If you're not going into something that is math intensive as far as career is concerned, then you don't need much. In high school I took some kind of math in 9th grade, Algebra in the 10th, and Algebra II in the 11th with no math my senior year. In college, I took College Algebra, Trig, and I think that's about it. I never once took advanced Algebra, nor did I ever take a Cal or Pre-Cal class. I may be the only one but I just didn't want to do it. I don't require it now and never have but that's just for me. They should offer many types of math, but not require advanced classes in high school.

I'm divided on this. On one hand, some people don't even know what they want to do until they're in grade 12, such as me. I didn't know what I wanted to do until around the end of grade 11, so having required math was a good thing since I'm taking math based courses. Not that I would have dropped it though, I do like math.

On the other hand, I watched my friends struggle through math and after days, months, of trying to teach them just factoring, they still don't get it. Math just doesn't come easily for them (like they just barely passed with 50s). But in their case, that's okay since neither of them need math requirements for college.

If I were in charge of this, I guess I'd just;leave it. I don't know what to do. Also, it reminded me of this...:P(language warning)

[QUOTE="Allicrombie"]to get into a university here, you need like three years of upper division math but only a basic english class. So they get a bunch of people in school who can pass math but cant read or write, its so dumb.LostProphetFLCL

Think about it, u can get a degree in math/science, and there are a ton of high paying jobs out there that want those degrees.

What can u do with an english degree? Teach? What else? If u were good in high school english, youre set.

Actually I don't know what English classes you've taken, but I really disagree with english not being important past basic skills.

I took AP English & Comp and I've become a totally different writer. It can actually be argued that English is the most important, since no matter how smart you are if you can't express what you learn or discover clearly then it means nothing.

Not to mention that if your skills exceed that of others in writing then life becomes easier. You need it for job applications, applying to Colleges, and its needed almost everyday. Sure math is very important, but to say English has "no real practical application" is laughable.

[QUOTE="Allicrombie"]to get into a university here, you need like three years of upper division math but only a basic english class. So they get a bunch of people in school who can pass math but cant read or write, its so dumb.LostProphetFLCL

Think about it, u can get a degree in math/science, and there are a ton of high paying jobs out there that want those degrees.

What can u do with an english degree? Teach? What else? If u were good in high school english, youre set.

[QUOTE="LostProphetFLCL"]

Probably because beyond basic skills, englist has no real practical application, especially not in the job market.

Think about it, u can get a degree in math/science, and there are a ton of high paying jobs out there that want those degrees.

What can u do with an english degree? Teach? What else? If u were good in high school english, youre set.

Allicrombie

Aren't there multiple threads complaining about people writing like that? Doesn't make sense that you wouldn't think English is important.

[QUOTE="Jagged3dge"]

[QUOTE="imaps3fanboy"] That's why I get a C in algebra two? Yet get B+ or A in AP gov't, AP macroeconomics, and AP art history?

imaps3fanboy

It doesn't work the other way around :P

No I never said that.

Knowledge is knowledge. When you learn your kind of training your mind in a way. If you train your mind to grasp difficult math then you don't think that it will make you an all around smarter person? All subjects kind of correlate with each other in school. Like if I'm writing a paper in English about a poet during the civil war then don't you think that it will also help me grasp the understanding of the civil war in AP U.S. history? (Actually happened with me)

No matter what you learn, it transcends to greater knowledge of other things. Now the subjects you picked aren't very related, but I'm sure that if you understood math a little more then economics would be a little easier also. AP History and AP Gov't? Well like I mentioned before, it just makes the expansion of your mind greater.

[QUOTE="LostProphetFLCL"]

[QUOTE="Allicrombie"]to get into a university here, you need like three years of upper division math but only a basic english class. So they get a bunch of people in school who can pass math but cant read or write, its so dumb.Jagged3dge

Think about it, u can get a degree in math/science, and there are a ton of high paying jobs out there that want those degrees.

What can u do with an english degree? Teach? What else? If u were good in high school english, youre set.

Actually I don't know what English classes you've taken, but I really disagree with english not being important past basic skills.

I took AP English & Comp and I've become a totally different writer. It can actually be argued that English is the most important, since no matter how smart you are if you can't express what you learn or discover clearly then it means nothing.

Not to mention that if your skills exceed that of others in writing then life becomes easier. You need it for job applications, applying to Colleges, and its needed almost everyday. Sure math is very important, but to say English has "no real practical application" is laughable.

I had people review my college ap and my resume and cover letters, I just wrote rough drafts, and while everybody uses english, pretty much everybody is proficient enough.

No practical aplications.

I think everyone should get through at least Trig in high school and Calc 1 in college no matter what major you are. Most people don't know what they want to do or major in when they're in high school. If they decide to pursue a science/math major and only got through advanced algebra, they'll seriously be behind the ball in college.

I think everyone should get through at least Trig in high school and Calc 1 in college no matter what major you are. Most people don't know what they want to do or major in when they're in high school. If they decide to pursue a science/math major and only got through advanced algebra, they'll seriously be behind the ball in college.

CJL182

So? Then they spend extra time in college. There is no time limit on going to school.

[QUOTE="LostProphetFLCL"]

[QUOTE="Allicrombie"]to get into a university here, you need like three years of upper division math but only a basic english class. So they get a bunch of people in school who can pass math but cant read or write, its so dumb.Allicrombie

Think about it, u can get a degree in math/science, and there are a ton of high paying jobs out there that want those degrees.

What can u do with an english degree? Teach? What else? If u were good in high school english, youre set.

Honestly, no practical application, anybody can read and write who has taken 10th grade english, beyond that, what is the point? I can understand a lit class just so u get some exposure to classic books, but more classes on writing, english, ect. are useless and have no point in the real world.

[QUOTE="CJL182"]

I think everyone should get through at least Trig in high school and Calc 1 in college no matter what major you are. Most people don't know what they want to do or major in when they're in high school. If they decide to pursue a science/math major and only got through advanced algebra, they'll seriously be behind the ball in college.

airshocker

So? Then they spend extra time in college. There is no time limit on going to school.

It would cost them time and money. If they get to college years behind everybody everybody else,it could take a few semesters to catch up. That's time and money wasted.

LostProphetFLCL

That's their own fault for not taking the math classes, then. Forcing everyone to do the exact same curriculum ISN'T WORKING. Some people have no interest in math beyond the basics needed to get through life. Why should we be wasting money and resources on them? No one is saying math shouldn't be taught, the disagreement is in how long you should be taught it. Beyond high-school, unless you're taking trig, calc or statistics, it's a little pointless to continue doing algebra.

[QUOTE="Allicrombie"][QUOTE="LostProphetFLCL"]Probably because beyond basic skills, englist has no real practical application, especially not in the job market.

Think about it, u can get a degree in math/science, and there are a ton of high paying jobs out there that want those degrees.

What can u do with an english degree? Teach? What else? If u were good in high school english, youre set.

LostProphetFLCL

Honestly, no practical application, anybody can read and write who has taken 10th grade english, beyond that, what is the point? I can understand a lit class just so u get some exposure to classic books, but more classes on writing, english, ect. are useless and have no point in the real world.

It would cost them time and money. If they get to college years behind everybody everybody else,it could take a few semesters to catch up. That's time and money wasted.

LostProphetFLCL

Exactly. It's probably not as bad around the country as it is here in California, but it's damn tough to get into Calc 1 and mandatory English classes and it's getting even worse. One of the classes I'm taking now wasn't offered for a year and a half, and it's a required upper divison course for electrical engineering majors.

[QUOTE="Jagged3dge"]

[QUOTE="LostProphetFLCL"]Probably because beyond basic skills, englist has no real practical application, especially not in the job market.

Think about it, u can get a degree in math/science, and there are a ton of high paying jobs out there that want those degrees.

What can u do with an english degree? Teach? What else? If u were good in high school english, youre set.

LostProphetFLCL

Actually I don't know what English classes you've taken, but I really disagree with english not being important past basic skills.

I took AP English & Comp and I've become a totally different writer. It can actually be argued that English is the most important, since no matter how smart you are if you can't express what you learn or discover clearly then it means nothing.

Not to mention that if your skills exceed that of others in writing then life becomes easier. You need it for job applications, applying to Colleges, and its needed almost everyday. Sure math is very important, but to say English has "no real practical application" is laughable.

I had people review my college ap and my resume and cover letters, I just wrote rough drafts, and while everybody uses english, pretty much everybody is proficient enough.

No practical aplications.

I doubt that pretty much everybody is "proficient enough." Some people are extremely stupid when it comes to creating a piece that actually flows and is organized well.

You shouldn't have to depend on others to check things for you, part of learning is requiring skills for you to apply on your own. Nothing wrong with a little peer editing but everyone should have what it takes to accomplish these thing separately if need be.

in high school yes, I HATE MATH but it is useful in many actions of life.

In college though it is different...

Math for all years of high school? I think so. Its a great form of critical thinking, a skill that can apply to a gamut of life events.I_Liek_Rawkz

Exactly what I said.

[QUOTE="LostProphetFLCL"]

It would cost them time and money. If they get to college years behind everybody everybody else,it could take a few semesters to catch up. That's time and money wasted.

airshocker

That's their own fault for not taking the math classes, then. Forcing everyone to do the exact same curriculum ISN'T WORKING. Some people have no interest in math beyond the basics needed to get through life. Why should we be wasting money and resources on them? No one is saying math shouldn't be taught, the disagreement is in how long you should be taught it. Beyond high-school, unless you're taking trig, calc or statistics, it's a little pointless to continue doing algebra.

Most kids simply lack the disiplin and are too lazy to really excell at math, and that is a problem, but that doesn't mean the skills aren't nessasary, and simply by working at math, u are "working out" portions of the brain dealing with mathematic ability, and that does help in the long run.

[QUOTE="LostProphetFLCL"]

[QUOTE="Allicrombie"] you're right, reading and writing are so overrated. hoe r u 2day? Allicrombie

Honestly, no practical application, anybody can read and write who has taken 10th grade english, beyond that, what is the point? I can understand a lit class just so u get some exposure to classic books, but more classes on writing, english, ect. are useless and have no point in the real world.

[QUOTE="LostProphetFLCL"]

[QUOTE="Jagged3dge"]

Actually I don't know what English classes you've taken, but I really disagree with english not being important past basic skills.

I took AP English & Comp and I've become a totally different writer. It can actually be argued that English is the most important, since no matter how smart you are if you can't express what you learn or discover clearly then it means nothing.

Not to mention that if your skills exceed that of others in writing then life becomes easier. You need it for job applications, applying to Colleges, and its needed almost everyday. Sure math is very important, but to say English has "no real practical application" is laughable.

Jagged3dge

I had people review my college ap and my resume and cover letters, I just wrote rough drafts, and while everybody uses english, pretty much everybody is proficient enough.

No practical aplications.

I doubt that pretty much everybody is "proficient enough." Some people are extremely stupid when it comes to creating a piece that actually flows and is organized well.

You shouldn't have to depend on others to check things for you, part of learning is requiring skills for you to apply on your own. Nothing wrong with a little peer editing but everyone should have what it takes to accomplish these thing separately if need be.

Should math be required all four years of high school?

Sure! Why not?

Although I'm biased, seeing as I'm a mathematician...

Do you think they should require you to do math each year in high school?

A lot of high school students that get a 3.0 or higher gpa have to do remedial classes for math when they apply for a college. The high school should have taught them that. Its almost like you havent got your full diploma by the time you graduate. A lot of student have forgotton the math when they graduate. I think if it was required to do math each year a lot less students would have to do remedial classes in college. Doing remedial classes puts you back a year and costs a lot of money. In some states 44% of the graduating students that go to college do remedial classes.

I think you can do all your match in 2 years in high school then dont have math to do for 2 years. By that time they have forgotton the math. Just one year of not doing math you forget a lot.

slipknot0129