To me this is coming at the issue from the wrong angle. Sure, mathematics classes in elementary through high school have the veneer of teaching mathematics, but

To me this is coming at the issue from the wrong angle. Sure, mathematics classes in elementary through high school have the veneer of teaching mathematics, but they also teach logical thinking and problem solving. Identifying a problem (in math class the problems usually come pre-identfied until you tackle the dreaded story problems) and breaking down the problem into logical steps, are useful skills to have even if someone never does another math problem in their life.