If you ever get one of my chemistry students in your pharmacy, they will definitely know how to do ratio and proportion problems...I preach it like a religion!

Now if they could only figure out the difference between accuracy and precision.

How is it possible the kids today could be worse at math as compared to adults today? Today's adult world has the highest level of personal bankrupcy, personal debt, lowest amount of savings as a percentage, government debt at all time levels, failure to support the most basic of social services to improve our society. I can totally understand why kids today would reject our concepts on how to add.:sssh:

 

Oh, by the way when the young generation refuses to pay the social security bill of the baby boomers, I hope our current math superiority is able to cover our shortfall.

 

Maybe a look in the mirror before we judge an entire generation for its failings.

One size fits all doesn't work in public education, people.

Don't go there. I took every advanced math course my school offered. However, I again ask, why does every student need Algebra II?

I did not mean that as a slam. I meant it as, if you hadn't had Algebra II in HS has your life been negatively affected because you can't graph a line? Or what is more likely, you have never had one iota of a negative consequence because of a lack of ability in graphing a line.

 

I am with you. About 75% or higher will NEVER USE graphing lines in their life. NEVER, EVER. But it is a requirement for them to take.

 

While learning how to deal with credit card percentages and debt is not. Balancing a checkbook is not.

One size fits all doesn't work in public education, people.

In the state of Kentucky, it is supposed to.

 

All students will be proficient by 2013 or 11 or whatever year it is.

All students have to take Geometry and Algebra II.

How is it possible the kids today could be worse at math as compared to adults today? Today's adult world has the highest level of personal bankrupcy, personal debt, lowest amount of savings as a percentage, government debt at all time levels, failure to support the most basic of social services to improve our society. I can totally understand why kids today would reject our concepts on how to add.:sssh:

 

Oh, by the way when the young generation refuses to pay the social security bill of the baby boomers, I hope our current math superiority is able to cover our shortfall.

 

Maybe a look in the mirror before we judge an entire generation for its failings.

 

SS - IMO there is not a direct correlation between math skills and ability to manage finances.

SS - IMO there is not a direct correlation between math skills and ability to manage finances.

So there is a direct correlation between ordered pairs, quadratic formula, graphing lines, postulates and balancing your checkbook?

I think we have finally arrived at that point where school administrations are more worried about serving themselves than their students. It's all about getting the stats for your school. How many kids go to college. SAT and ACT scores. I've seen too many counselors push kids into college that had no business there. Too many schools are too busy looking at their credentials instead of what their kids really need.

So there is a direct correlation between ordered pairs, quadratic formula, graphing lines, postulates and balancing your checkbook?

 

I'll say it again. There is NOT a direct correlation between math skills and the ability to manage finances.

I think we have finally arrived at that point where school administrations are more worried about serving themselves than their students. It's all about getting the stats for your school. How many kids go to college. SAT and ACT scores. I've seen too many counselors push kids into college that had no business there. Too many schools are too busy looking at their credentials instead of what their kids really need.

 

We're all a product of our pay plan. If the school is incentivized by the Federal govt to raise scores, they're going to pour their efforts and resources into that area.

I'll say it again. There is NOT a direct correlation between math skills and the ability to manage finances.

I am sorry, I missed the NOT first time. MY BAD!

We're all a product of our pay plan. If the school is incentivized by the Federal govt to raise scores, they're going to pour their efforts and resources into that area.

Hey don't dump this solely at the Federal govt's feet. Those state tests scores are going to be the ones that determine whether a principal keeps his job or not.

 

I feel that schools have moved where the SOLE reason a principal either keeps or does not keep his job is how the school scores on the CATS testing. In public schools, it is now ALL ABOUT producing a number. And you can't blame us.

 

We don't produce that number over a period of time, 1-2 years, and the principal is fired and a team of state "distinguished educators" take over the building.

A member of my family has been a BOE member for 13 years and it his FIRM belief that KERA and the CATS test have run their course and we need to get back to basics.

 

There needs to be an overhaul of the OEA and State BOE but with the way things are going it will get worse.....

A member of my family has been a BOE member for 13 years and it his FIRM belief that KERA and the CATS test have run their course and we need to get back to basics.

 

There needs to be an overhaul of the OEA and State BOE but with the way things are going it will get worse.....

I love the idea of chasing our tail at the whim of politicians and this plan and when that plan wears out with them, we chase our tail on the new whims of politicians.

 

I wish they would let teachers decide what is the best way to educate kids.

We're all a product of our pay plan. If the school is incentivized by the Federal govt to raise scores, they're going to pour their efforts and resources into that area.

For the record, I think both KERA and NCLB have been horrible ideas.