I rarely comment, but I feel compelled to add to this discussion. Algebra, as it is taught today in the U.S., is not necessary, and is probably detrimental in

I rarely comment, but I feel compelled to add to this discussion. Algebra, as it is taught today in the U.S., is not necessary, and is probably detrimental in many of the ways stated in the article. I can't speak for non-traditional schools, but public schools, with their focus on standardized testing, have effectively destroyed the original spirit behind teaching mathematics. Mathematics, much like other academic topics (e.g. literary analysis), was taught not as a practical skill, but as a way to improve your abstract thinking and problem solving skills. As another commenter stated, Mathematics (along with most later academics) should be a gymnasium for your brain. I like this metaphor, because if you think about solo athletics, all students are not expected to achieve at a pre-defined level. Rather students are evaluated based on improvement in performance over time. Sadly, mathematics in recent years has become less about abstract thinking and problem solving and more about rote memorization, computation, and application. I taught basic algebra to college students for a semester. One of my most interesting experiences was with the dreaded story problem. Most of the students were simply unable to apply math to solve a problem. They were all very good all computation, but when faced with a problem in a form they didn't recognize they instantly began flailing. Standardized testing has turned math into the process of recognizing a form, plugging in the numbers, and computing. We're now starting to see the first generation of math teachers that are a product of standardized testing, and the results are frankly, frightening. I've spoken with younger math teachers who couldn't explain the practical importance of their subject. While they loved math, they couldn't tell me why they were teaching it, other than: "It's on the [standardized] test." This is the kind of Algebra we don't need. * * * Incidentally, the only way I avoided the shocking deficiencies of standard high school "math" was by fighting my way into an advanced program at the local University. It was there I was introduced to Euclidean geometry and really learned what math was all about. I think everyone should learn Geometry using the Euclidean method. I learned from a simplified book (Geometry, by Moise/Downs) which starts out with a few more postulates than Euclid did. I'd go as far to say that geometry (properly taught) will make you a better programmer/problem solver/thinker.