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There is a massive opportunity cost to teaching kids the amount and level of math that we do. The vast majority of people aren't going to use more than basic al

There is a massive opportunity cost to teaching kids the amount and level of math that we do. The vast majority of people aren't going to use more than basic algebra and geometry. The common answer is that, even though they have zero practical use for higher math, they will develop reasoning skills. Teaching logic in HS would give reasoning skills that are directly practical to everyone. Other things that we could teach kids if we made higher math elective: basic statistics, practical economics, entrepreneurship, emotional literacy and other soft skills. And, by far, the most important thing we could be teaching kids is a deep understanding of all the possible ways they can make money in this world. That's just a quick list off the top of my head. This is coming from the perspective of an auto-didactic HS dropout who ended up achieving success in a tech career. Math was a big part of why I dropped out and not because it was hard. I got to polynomial equations in algebra and thought: I could do this, but it is repetitive and pointless, which was exactly how the rest of HS was to me at that point.

mikebenfield 4y ago
> The vast majority of people aren't going to use more than basic algebra and geometry Most high school students take nothing past algebra and geometry, so what specifically are you complaining about? As far as I can tell, most adults in the US working in a non-technical field do not understand very basic mathematical concepts like fractions, percentages, or negative numbers, and can’t really follow a line of logical reasoning. It’s definitely an indictment of mathematics education, but I can’t support the conclusion that students should spend less time learning mathematics. > repetitive and pointless, which was exactly how the rest of HS was to me at that point. So this wasn’t a complaint specific to math after all?
- pas 4y ago
  The point is what you mentioned. Teaching algebra when there are people struggling with fractions. Of course this gets us into the weeds of socioeconomic stratification, school funding, tracking for gifted kids or no tracking, etc.

mikebenfield 4y ago

> The vast majority of people aren't going to use more than basic algebra and geometry Most high school students take nothing past algebra and geometry, so what specifically are you complaining about? As far as I can tell, most adults in the US working in a non-technical field do not understand very basic mathematical concepts like fractions, percentages, or negative numbers, and can’t really follow a line of logical reasoning. It’s definitely an indictment of mathematics education, but I can’t support the conclusion that students should spend less time learning mathematics. > repetitive and pointless, which was exactly how the rest of HS was to me at that point. So this wasn’t a complaint specific to math after all?

pas 4y ago
The point is what you mentioned. Teaching algebra when there are people struggling with fractions. Of course this gets us into the weeds of socioeconomic stratification, school funding, tracking for gifted kids or no tracking, etc.