> It's easy to recognize that the author's arguments could apply just as well to any academic subject: literature, history, you name it.
The impact algebra has on graduation rates makes it unique. Something is clearly wrong: either we're teaching algebra ineffectively, or we're expecting too much and preventing students who are otherwise capable from graduating high school. It's important we figure out what's wrong and fix it. Without knowing the core problem, his proposal is no less valid than any other and, as a novel and controversial idea, might inspire research toward a real solution. I'm glad he wrote the piece, whether or not algebra should actually remain a mandatory subject.
The impact algebra has on graduation rates makes it unique. Something is clearly wrong: either we're teaching algebra ineffectively, or we're expecting too much and preventing students who are otherwise capable from graduating high school. It's important we figure out what's wrong and fix it. Without knowing the core problem, his proposal is no less valid than any other and, as a novel and controversial idea, might inspire research toward a real solution. I'm glad he wrote the piece, whether or not algebra should actually remain a mandatory subject.