“… Hacker’s central argument is that advanced mathematics requirements, like algebra, trigonometry and calculus, are “a harsh and senseless hurdle” keeping far too many Americans from completing their educations and leading productive lives.” …
Yes, let’s dumb down the curriculum even more.
After reading the article, I have to say I partially agree. To the extent that many people in their lives will never need much more than basic algebra if that. The problem is that high school is a time to discover what subjects interest you for college, so that there you have a clearer path as to a major/field of majors you’d like to study. So getting rid of requirements for math might block students from finding a true passion. I think enthusiasm about maths might be much better if it weren’t taught so rigidly in some places without explanation. But to get an explanation for many math concepts, one needs Calculus and the cycle continues.
Algebra is advanced mathematics? Give me a break!
Why not eliminate English composition requirements too? After all spell check and grammar check apps will take care of that for them in the future.
Completely miss the importance of such math - it is not about whether one uses (applies) it directly later one; it is about learning how processes work and how to apply such logic to solving problems. For example, a geometry proof is all about understanding the logic of how one step leads to another and how each step has a direct effect on the outcome. This exercise is way useful beyond math.
I completely agree with @awcntdb. Mathematics all about reasoning and proof - much more than it is about numbers.
@awcntdb Completely agree. I have not factored an equation in decades but I realize now (but not back then) that it was a way of learning problem solving and developing mental skills.
Most people will never make any use of the foreign language they studied. Why not get rid of that as well?
If high school students don’t study algebra2, they will have not have any understanding of interest. This country already has enough problems over that.
And how many colleges require calculus for graduation? I checked our local state U and they don’t. This book is silly.
A politician was once quoted saying “It is a disgrace that half the students score below the median level in math proficiency.” I guess he never took a course in statistics.
TomSr - something has to offset the fact that all the kids are above average in Lake Wobegon 
The guy has a point. He seems to be stressing making the teaching of math more interesting by posing questions which can be discussed rather than just have a single answer. Learning how to manipulate numbers is an important skill which leads to interest in higher math and maybe more kids actually able to do it.
On the same note however–I’d love to kill the language requirement–that’s a hurdle that seems totally unnecessary.
I remember watching the 60 minutes episode about the troubles of Stockton California in the foreclosure crisis with my 7th grade daughter and pointing out that this happens because people don’t learn enough math and thus have to pay someone else to do math for them. That someone else is generally smart enough to rip them off without them even having a clue. Don’t let this be you!
Which reminds me that I helped my mother-in-law enter numbers into H&R Block TaxCut and realized how many deductions her preparer at H&R Block neglected costing her well over $1000 over the last 3 years.
Even professionals often don’t do math with the kind care that you can do yourself if you just learn enough.
The US is an anomaly in its treatment of mathematics as some sort of obscure subject that is beyond the average person. In most of the world, math is just another subject, like English or science, that may or may not be your favorite, but is universally acknowledged as an important part of basic education at a grade school level.
Would anyone say that an English writing/reading requirement is a “senseless hurdle” that “keeps people from completing their education” the way we say that about math? No. And math is equally important.
I think one of the core deficiencies of US early education is how bad it is at teaching math. Maybe that is what should be addressed first.
Didn’t the author argue that statistics may be more useful than Algebra 2? I only squeaked by with a D- in Algebra 2 because I went to a tutor every day after school, and I suspect the teacher only passed me because I wasn’t allowed to drop the class after the first semester (the implication was that my PSAT scores showed that I just wasn’t trying). I probably had no business being in the class in the first place, since I hadn’t done very well in Algebra 1. Did I gain anything from taking the class? Probably not. By that time I was so sick of school I didn’t really care about grades, although my other grades were all A’s and B’s. Do students need to learn to think logically? Of course. Is math the best way to do this? I would argue that it isn’t for everyone. The required math class that I took as an undergraduate was mostly logic, and I did well. In grad school I took statistics and got my highest math grade ever. Of course I’m talking about a sample size of one here, but I’m sure other people have similar experiences. My point is that it isn’t so difficult to succeed in college and in life without mastering the material taught in Algebra 2. For some it is almost certainly the best route, but not for everyone.
Of course advanced math is important! It teaches us to think logically and to be precise in our thoughts and work. Also, how is algebra an advanced math?! Algebra and geometry are necessary…after that maybe not if you want to work as a cashier or something. But if you want to go into science or architecture or business, then of course you should know more! When you know more you can apply that knowledge to go more in depth into your studies and be successful in your field.
Funny you would mention statistics as important but Algebra 2 as a class that doesn’t matter. If you take statistics at anything beyond a very basic introductory level, here’s a list of at least a few things that you might run into very frequently:
- Logarithms (logistic regression)
- Exponents and their manipulation (various distributions)
- Matrix algebra (the general solution to the multilinear regression problem)
- Integers and real numbers (good to have a grasp on if you do the slightest bit of programming)
- If your statistics curriculum covers even the slightest bit of the probability theory behind it, you will find that just about every bit of everything that you learn in Algebra 2 will crop up sooner or later. As will calculus and higher math.
Kind of looks like it really is important to be able to understand algebra, doesn’t it?
You’d better hope that structural engineers do!! “Off by a factor of 12” could be a disaster.
I wonder if kids had to take statistics if there would be as many people playing lotteries. 
A woman in my book club recently said, “Well, the only SURE thing is that you can’t win if you don’t play!” SMH.
I never said that Algebra 2 is a class that doesn’t matter. I said that it isn’t a necessary part of preparation for college and/or life for everyone. In an ideal world I would have learned it, but I’ve had a long and successful career without it. No one on this forum has said it, but on other boards I’ve seen people claim that anyone without a solid understanding of Algebra 2 has any business in college, which is demonstrably false. It won’t be an issue for our sons, since the oldest is taking Linear Algebra and Multivariate Calculus as a HS senior and his younger brother is making A’s in Algebra 2.
I think part of the premise is false, in that I don’t believe any school other than those devoted to engineering require calculus to get in. Many or most do require 4 years of math, but that is not the same thing. Also, while it certainly doesn’t answer the rest of the argument, it is notable that most universities do seem to think a solid foundation in math is important. I don’t think this is just some anachronism that all these colleges have failed to address. There is still a fundamental need to be exposed to different areas of knowledge, despite what one ends up doing as a major.
But you really don’t know that. As has been pointed out, it isn’t the actual use of the theorems and manipulations of unknown variables, such as an engineer would do almost daily, that is the point for people such as yourself. Without realizing it, you were learning to reason in a certain way and probably developed the ability, to at least some degree, to think a bit more abstractly. This just becomes part of who you are, beyond “See animal. Kill animal. Eat animal. Sleep. Repeat”. It is the same general idea when we learn foreign languages, listen to music, solve puzzles, etc. These and many other activities train our minds to work better in the ways it already was, and to open up new ways of thinking as well. And the younger we do that, the greater and longer-lasting effect it has.
Sure, it is possible to go to college and have a successful career without Algebra 2. It’s possible to do that without necessarily learning science, or history, or English, or perhaps all of them. However, you’d be considered extremely short-sighted to suggest that people should skip these topics.
The only way math differs from these is that in the US (but not the rest of the educated world), it is considered socially acceptable to dismiss the importance of math.