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tiger times dec. 17, 2013
EDITORIAL
State debates future of Algebra II With the legislature deliberating on the curriculum of Texas high schools, role of Algebra II is uncertain
“A monthly cell phone plan charges $5 for the first 300 text messages used and $0.15 for each additional message. On this plan, what is the number of text messages that must be used in a month in order to make the average cost per message $0.05?” (Answer: 400) With curriculums being changed what seems like every year, students may feel as though they will be able to slack now and work later. However, this is not the case; otherwise, students may not be able to solve the above problem. Algebra II is currently being contested as lawmakers discuss the future of the class requirements to graduate. Next year’s seniors may only be required to have three math credits to graduate from high school, instead of the normal four. The bare bones math courses–Algebra I, Geometry and Math Models–would leave the average student unequipped to acquire anything close to a college degree. If the requirements were to be changed, we might will see a large amount of students taking the minimum route to avoid math. This would be catastrophic for high schools because students will not be able to be admitted into colleges and students will stop challenging themselves. Most high school students plan on attending college after their graduation, but this could become much harder on a student if they lack the foundation of Algebra II. College classes, such as precalculus and trigonometry, are almost impossible to understand without Algebra II because math requires multiple layers and skipping a layer is impossible. Also admittance into colleges requires four years of math credits, so graduating on this new three-credit plan will potentially disqualify the minimum-plan graduate from admittance into colleges. Algebra II should be taken allowing students to either graduate with a firm understanding of some advanced math or allow students to continue to succeed in college. Algebra II is even important for students not moving on to college. Math has, and will always be, about solving puzzles. In the
workforce, problem solving is key to not only the people in charge, but to the individual worker. Taking four years of math in high school will give students the resources they need to overcome problems in the workforce. Also, Algebra II gives students a good grip on simple equations and how they relate to real world concepts, such as the example given at the beginning of this editorial. These are real world equations that everyone will confront; therefore, there is no reason not teach everyone about them. From the demands of advance college-level math, to the personal demands of the workforce, algebra is everywhere. So two years should be dedicated to this common subject. Three years of math lacking Algebra II will never allow our workforce or our college students to succeed.
SPEAK OUT
Do you think taking Algebra II is important? “Depending on what your career goals are, you should decide whether or not to take it, because most will never use it.” Ryan Fant, 12 “Yes, because in careers like medicine and engineering, advanced mathematics is required.” Austin Ryden, 11
“Yes, if you’re going to be taking higher level math, which in college is required, you need the foundation of Algebra II.” Leah Crenshaw, 10
“No, most jobs do not require the foundation of Algebra II.” Jasmine Campbell, 9 “Yes, because most careers require higher math skills.” Alejandro Hernandez, 9
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