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California moves to recommend delaying algebra to 9th grade statewide

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Re: California moves to recommend delaying algebra to 9th grade statewide

#161

Post by nemothekid »

542458 wrote: post #112
denkmoon wrote: post #103

Earlier quoted context omitted.

How old is a 9th grade student in the US? My cohort started Algebra in year 7 in Australia, which is 12/13 years old. And similar to GP's proposal, we learn age appropriate topics every single year, every single week.

Grade nine is 14-15 years of age in the US. I agree with you WRT age appropriate-ness. Just because something can or has been introduced at a certain age does not mean that is optimal. I recall a study I saw recently that showed delaying introducing one subject - it may have been math - to very young students had negligible impacts on their scores (compared to students who were introduced earlier) a few years later.…

Wouldn't that make Grade 12 18 ~ 19 years of age? Has the school age been moved up a year? I vaguely remember the oldest kids in high school being 18.

Re: California moves to recommend delaying algebra to 9th grade statewide

#162

Post by ipaddr »

anm89 wrote: post #73

I think we should really hold off on addition and reading until the post graduate level. Once we take this to it's logical conclusion and reset the achievment bar to absolute zero, it will be impossible for there to be any inequality. All classess straight through undergrad could be limited to a combination of nap time and snack time.

Grades are assigned through a weighed lottery system.

Re: California moves to recommend delaying algebra to 9th grade statewide

#163

Post by coolspot »

logicalmonster wrote: post #30
rhino369 wrote: post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

" . . . as a means of promoting equity" and "The intent of the state mathematics framework, its designers say, is to maintain rigor while also helping remedy California’s achievement gaps for Black, Latino and low-income students, which remain some of the largest in the nation. It's Harrison Bergeron Math.

Is there an achievement gap for other groups such as Asian students?

No, even for Asians from poor countries and with language barrier. But we are not allowed to talk about that.

Re: California moves to recommend delaying algebra to 9th grade statewide

#164

Post by giantg2 »

bko wrote: post #71
darth_avocado wrote: post #14

Here's a revolutionary idea that pretty much all of the world adopts, if students are having trouble with a topic, get them to do more of it, instead of running away from it. I always find it hilarious that the pre college education in US is so messed up. Instead of doing Algebra 1, Algebra 2, calculus, geometry as one subject that you do in a year and then completely forgetting about it till the next time you have t…

This policy has nothing to do with the topic of algebra. This is code for advanced math, because algebra is typically considered advanced for < 9th grade children. Since the organizations feel ashamed that they're failing certain demographics as evidenced by being under-represented in the advanced classes, they're just scrapping the advanced classes for everyone. Truly disgraceful

"This is code for advanced math, because algebra is typically considered advanced for Seriously? Basic algebra was like 7th or 8th grade for me.

Re: California moves to recommend delaying algebra to 9th grade statewide

#165

Post by Eelongate »

bko wrote: post #71
darth_avocado wrote: post #14

Here's a revolutionary idea that pretty much all of the world adopts, if students are having trouble with a topic, get them to do more of it, instead of running away from it. I always find it hilarious that the pre college education in US is so messed up. Instead of doing Algebra 1, Algebra 2, calculus, geometry as one subject that you do in a year and then completely forgetting about it till the next time you have t…

This policy has nothing to do with the topic of algebra. This is code for advanced math, because algebra is typically considered advanced for < 9th grade children. Since the organizations feel ashamed that they're failing certain demographics as evidenced by being under-represented in the advanced classes, they're just scrapping the advanced classes for everyone. Truly disgraceful

> This policy has nothing to do with the topic of algebra. This is code for advanced math, because algebra is typically considered advanced for

I sincerely hope you're not serious about this. I took algebra in 7th grade and I was considered a remedial student with habitually poor grades. If you're telling me I was actually 2 years advanced by present standards, then the situation in California must be deteriorating severely.

For reference, this was in an underfunded rural American public school. I was 12.

Re: California moves to recommend delaying algebra to 9th grade statewide

#166

Post by riversflow »

iimblack wrote: post #77
darth_avocado wrote: post #14

Here's a revolutionary idea that pretty much all of the world adopts, if students are having trouble with a topic, get them to do more of it, instead of running away from it. I always find it hilarious that the pre college education in US is so messed up. Instead of doing Algebra 1, Algebra 2, calculus, geometry as one subject that you do in a year and then completely forgetting about it till the next time you have t…

I’ve never heard of anywhere in the US doing just one year of math. My family currently in high school are required to do math all 4 years.

California requires 2 years of Math in high school.

https://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/gs/hs/cefhsgradreq.asp

Re: California moves to recommend delaying algebra to 9th grade statewide

#167

Post by seanmcdirmid »

I went to a high school in Mississippi, and, despite the school being good for that state, I still didn't get to take Algebra 1 until 9th grade. I made up for that by cramming Algebra 2 and Geometry into 10th grade.

That was annoying. If I was able to take Algebra in 7th or 8th grade, I could have gone further in high school.

Re: California moves to recommend delaying algebra to 9th grade statewide

#168

Post by cole-k »

kingcharles wrote: post #99
darth_avocado wrote: post #14

Here's a revolutionary idea that pretty much all of the world adopts, if students are having trouble with a topic, get them to do more of it, instead of running away from it. I always find it hilarious that the pre college education in US is so messed up. Instead of doing Algebra 1, Algebra 2, calculus, geometry as one subject that you do in a year and then completely forgetting about it till the next time you have t…

I'm British. For the lulz I decided to complete the US "GED": "The General Educational Development (GED) tests are a group of four subject tests which, when passed, provide certification that the test taker has United States or Canadian high school-level academic skills." (Wikipedia) I had not looked at what it encompassed before I signed up. I was given a huge book to study from. I glanced at it briefly each day for…

... Do you laugh with your friends about how one time you studied for two weeks and took the GED tests?

There must have been some use in taking it for you, right?

Otherwise, I guess I am missing the joke.

Re: California moves to recommend delaying algebra to 9th grade statewide

#169

Post by dkhenry »

When I pulled my kids out of traditional school we started introducing concepts of Algebra and Geometry to them immediately (2st and 4th grades). It takes extra work, but they understand everything just fine. The problem isn't that the kids can't understand it. The problem is our education system is broken and no longer has the ability to teach children anything other than what might be on a standardized test. This is literally every subject, not just math. Writing, history, spelling, science, even physical education has suffered the same decline. The whole of the education system is a shell of its former self, and is more concerned with providing child care rather than instruction.

Re: California moves to recommend delaying algebra to 9th grade statewide

#170

Post by holonomically »

TimTheTinker wrote: post #124
holonomically wrote: post #116

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I still don't follow. What exactly in what I suggested is the problem with equalizing outcomes? If everyone is learning the same things then what exactly is the problem? There is no discrimination involved.

"Equalizing outcomes" is exactly what they want to do. They seek to accomplish this by pulling down those who would otherwise excel, not by solving the real problems that are preventing people from excelling in the first place. Part of the problem is that outcomes can never be equalized. It's a fallacy to try to force everyone into the same educational mold. A statistical normal distribution will always occur. Better…

What's the fallacy in teaching everyone the same things? That seems like a good way to equalize life outcomes and give everyone the required skills for succeeding in contemporary society.
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