There they go again.
Academic hand-wringers again are warning Americans that higher-math skills are necessary to succeed in school and the work force.
The National Mathematics Advisory Panel, appointed by Dubya in 2006, concludes that students who complete two years of algebra are more than twice as likely to graduate from college (than) students with less math preparation.”
Duh. Since successful studies in algebra now are required to graduate from high school and college, not taking or failing algebra automatically precludes getting school or college diplomas in any major.
Hey, higher math and science are absolutely necessary for individuals entering technical fields. But not for individuals pursing the arts and humanities.
Basic math skills are necessary for everyone. But prospective journalists,artists, sociologists, law-enforcement officers, librarians, lawyers, historians and other generalists shouldn’t have to jump the high hurdles. (16 MARCH 2008)
