Judge blocks Algebra testing in California
 

Hmmm,

Let's see, 2x + 3y = 14, find the slope of the line or if the area of a circle is 5 times the area of a square with a perimeter of 20 feet, find the area of the circle is now BANNED in California.

What is SO wrong with testing students?!? Can someone here PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE enlighten me as why students shouldn't be tested?

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/storie...LTAM&SECTION=US

My dual citizenship is looking better and better every day :(

Bob

Here's your problem:

O'Connell estimated the board's mandate would cost California about $3 billion.

The state is struggling with a $42 billion budget deficit through mid-2010, and both lawmakers and Schwarzenegger have suggested cutting public education funding to save money.

David Sanchez, president of the California Teachers Association, said the algebra mandate would require 3,000 more teachers, as well as training an additional 1,000 teachers.

Plus, the way the document sounded, the test is for the equivalent of Algebra I. I don't know about California schools, but 8th grade math here is the equivalent of Pre-algebra. So having an Algebra I test would require 8th graders to take Algebra I, which won't go down so well with people who aren't very proficient at math and would normally take Pre-algebra.



By the way, for 2x+3y=14, the slope is -2/3; and the area of the circle is about 70 sq. feet :D

That's pretty refreshing coming from one of our younger members. :)

Gosh, I guess all the illegals won't be learning Algebra I, at least in freshman high school. Does this mean no one else will either? MG, not a day goes by that I don't use my algebra for something. Seriously!
Hard to believe it costs that much to accomplish the goal. Perhaps that is a perfect example of why the o-so-smart California lawmakers have turned out to be not-so-smart, afterall. Maybe their education was cut, too! :eek:
Given the way they run that state, if figures.
Sadly. there are no remedial courses for common sense or problem solving.
Allen

I don't think this is outlawing the course, just the course's standardized test. Having a state-wide standardized test would make Algebra I a mandatory class. However, not having the standardized test would mean that Algebra I would be an OPTIONAL class.

Maybe, legislators are finally beginning to understand what BANKRUPT really means...







Nah! What was I thinking? :chuckle:


(At least Ohio legally requires a balanced budget, the next few years will be painful but realistic)

I'll believe that when after-school sports are being cut instead of Algebra classes.... :rolleyes:

I'm going to make him do all of our taxes and banking if he keeps up with these A's in math courses. :D

This has a lot to do with the difference between "equal opportunity" and "equal outcome".

All states are required to balance their budgets, except for the those that can print their own money! :chuckle:

California's proposal was part of their No Unknown Value(X) Left Behind math curriculum. :D

Mark \\.