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<p>We may very well look at this from different angles. When considering the middle/high school, BASIC geometry is something that should be learned for retention purposes as well as help students unblock their spatial intelligence. Let’s not kid each other here, the geometry that is taught in middle and early high school is not something one should forget easily. After all, how hard is it to remember basic properties of triangles and other simple figures. Take a look at the SAT, and it would be clear how simplistic THAT geometry is. </p>
<p>One of the problems that face students in the US, is that the system believes that spending a few months on a subject is sufficient to turn into lifelong retention. Again, to revert to a simple example, this is apparent when some BRIGHT student stumble on basic SAT problems that require placing knowledge in context and depart from the rote memorized items to … reasoning and logic. </p>
<p>The same could be said for arithmetic and early algebra. Many students pretend to have forgotten the formulas, when the truth is that they NEVER mastered their applications. They did just enough to satisfy a teacher who probably looked at the answer section of his Teacher’s Manual to grade the students. And those are the students who are ushered into the pre-calc and calculus classes, where they simply repeat the same process of memorizing just enough to earn a pass grade, and being kicked to the next teacher who will lament about the struggles of students. The answer to this issue:</p>
<p>TEACH TO THE TEST and pass the buck. </p>
<p>And, further, this is such a problem because young children show an incredible ability to understand concepts when taught properly and ASKED to demonstrate their ability to interpret the numbers. This, however, takes a form of repetition during a curriculum, and a bit more WORK. All in all, it is not hard to see why other countries achieve a much higher understanding of math than “we” do. It is not because they are inherently smarter, but because their teachers are smart and dedicated enough to EDUCATE them in how to learn. </p>
<p>However, I also agree that some parts of the math curriculum contain useless material. In fact, I strongly believe that calculus should be given a lot less importance while repeating a comprehensive program of basic math should be a lot more useful for the overwhelming majority of students. While Calculus is a necessary requirement in a few programs, it is also quite limited, and represents nothing more than a nuisance for most young adults. </p>
<p>On the other hand, moderate math and writing skills are a necessity. Something our system has yet to “re” discover.</p>