Common let's be honest when if ever did we really teach "problem solving
to anything but the elite? In New Mexico all students are required to
take three years of math. My daughter went through precalculus, she had
four years of math. Almost unthinkable when I was in high school.
> Apparently, students do not know how to
think logically or > analytically anymore
When did the majority of students learn to think logically or
analytically? I went to one of the best high schools in the late 50's and
60's, I graduated in the top 6% of my graduating class. My average in
Algebra and Geometry was over 98% but nobody encouraged me to study math
or take high powered science courses. I believe it was because I was, am,
female.
> By moving to a new curriculum and doing away with anything that doesn't
> have relevance to students, us mathematics teachers may soon be out of
> jobs.
Are you really a teacher, in part of your note you said that you didn't
know what was being taught in the math class. And do you really believe
that math teachers are "may soom be out of a job?" More math is required
than ever before, state boards of education are increasing the number of
math courses that students need to graduate and many universities are uping
the pre college level math requirements. Melissa, I see in you note that
you are a substitute teacher. I find that it is very difficult as a
substitute to always know what is going on in the classroom. For one
reason in our area it is very difficult to get substitutes who can take
over a classroom and teach so often, unfortunatly they become baby
sitters and the kids are given busy work.
Karen L. Pagel
Dona Ana Branch Community College
Box 30001 3DA
Las Cruces, New Mexico USA
88003-8001