More parallel universe reporting from the LV Sun:
Some of the students who failed a new math test shouldn’t have been in the class in the first place, longtime educator Bill Hanlon told the Clark County School Board on Thursday.
Up until a few years ago, the only students who took algebra in high school were the ones planning to go to college, said Hanlon, who is director of the Regional Professional Development Center, set up by the Nevada Legislature to train teachers. Now, the School District requires all students to pass algebra, regardless of their individual circumstances.
That’s unrealistic for “special needs” students, said Hanlon, who helped write the test to measure students’ mastery of the semester’s material.
And then, Hanlon said, there are the students who simply don’t value education, “the offspring of parents that probably go to the ‘Jerry Springer Show.’?”
His characterization drew a mix of gasps, snickers and dropped jaws from the audience.
Official asks why all kids must take algebra – Las Vegas Sun
Someone sounds a little burned out.
Algebra is actually very important to learn, and is hardly advanced theoretical mathematics. There’s absolutely no way that you should have a high school diploma and not be able to do some basic algebra. I use it all the time in working on gaming stats. For example, the Nevada Gaming Control Board gives data on the total gaming revenue (customer losses) and casino winning percentage. Thanks to simple algebra, I can use the two numbers to find the theoretical handle, or total amount wagered. And I’m not a “math person” by any stretch of the imagination. I never made it up to pre-calc, and I haven’t taken a math class since high school. So I’m just saying it’s got some practical use, and you’d be better off knowing it.
Of course, if you just want graduates who (barely) know enough to count down their cash drawers and do inventory, then I guess there’s no crying need for algebra. I understand that there’s not a lot of respect for education in Southern Nevada. But if the leaders in the educational system aren’t going to value learning, who do they think will?
And if you’re an elementary or high school student and think you don’t need to get a good education to get a good job, maybe you have a point: you could probably get a job waiting tables or parking cars without knowing algebra or having read for pleasure. But I can guarantee you the CEO knows how to solve for x.