Should Maths be taught in School ????

[wombat2u2004]

They study it but not in too much detail or much detail at all and they don't really learn it, especially the mathematics and sciences. Before my mom was really sick and passed away, she could still perform arithmetic calculations by hand, including fractions. She could also recite some childhood poems memorized and learned in school.

It seems that our youth are not held accountable for their education any more.

And this can lead to a whole other discussion on accountability.

I blame the teachers.
(Wom locks himself in his room so Anne can't get him)

[mrspunkysmom]

I blame the teachers.
(Wom locks himself in his room so Anne can't get him)

You and everybody else. They tell you to hold the students accountable, yet "notice" when you have too many failures.

[smokey the elder]

(asbestos suit on) I blame No Child Left Behind, a good idea that had horrendous unintended consequences. The extreme example of this is the Georgia cheating scandal, where the teachers actually altered the answers on standardized tests.

As far as math instruction goes, IMO there is no substitute for the practice/drills that used to be done in elementary school. Math is at the root of all scientific disciplines, as well as accounting and economics. Did you know that compound interest calculation is actually what is called a "differential equation", which is quite advanced math?

(asbestos suit retired.)

[mrspunkysmom]

Sadly, I've never explored the compound interest formula that far, having only one course in DE in college.

[mrspunkysmom]

(asbestos suit on)

As far as math instruction goes, IMO there is no substitute for the practice/drills that used to be done in elementary school. Math is at the root of all scientific disciplines, as well as accounting and economics.

(asbestos suit retired.)

Yes, and the reason these students do not do as well later in math is that the drills are no longer required. It is considered beneath our students and a waste of time.

[Lady's Human]

SO you do the drills at home. (RIght MJ and Axel?)

[wombat2u2004]

I don't know what it's like in the USA, but last year was my daughters final year at school and the maths that she did were beyond me. Most entry requirements for university include a pass in maths.

[mrspunkysmom]

I don't know what it's like in the USA, but last year was my daughters final year at school and the maths that she did were beyond me. Most entry requirements for university include a pass in maths.

Successful school districts have standards.

The real problem is that it is THE USA. We believe that anyone can grow up to be anything they want. And so we try to educate everyone to be a rocket scientist and have difficulty telling someone they can't. Career interests are not explored until half way into the high school years in some school districts.

And there seems to be a sense of entitlement these days. I'm supposed to give them the grade and not make them earn it.

[mrspunkysmom]

SO you do the drills at home. (RIght MJ and Axel?)

It depends on the family. Most just use a calculator.