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In what is possibly the best news story in the history of ever, on Tuesday Judge Shelleyanne Chang ordered a "temporary restraining order" against the teaching of nonsensical algebra to California eighth graders. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, however, loves algebra, believing all eighth graders should be taught stupid shit like the F.O.I.L. method, x = your mother, and other nonsense. But even teachers disagree with him, celebrating the judge's ruling. What about you? (SFGate)
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I didn't know restraining orders could be issued against school subjects. FOIL must remain at least 100 yards from students lest he be forced to find the common denominator and factor.
Ha. FOIL. I have no idea what it means, but I remember the term.
I read an article a few years ago by (I think it was) Richard Cohen, stating that if he'd been subjected to exit exams, he'd have never passed the math portion, never gone to college, and never become a wealthy, respected journalist. To which I say AMEN (but not in a religious way).
F**K Algebra.
As a college student having to take pre-algebra (insert chuckle) this makes me feel much more sound about my mathematical inabilities. No 8th grader should be able to perform the FOIL method better than me.
Isn't Algebra the name of one of Palin's kids?
I'm taking pre-algebra, too. I don't know why this legal protection only extends to eighth-graders. Algebra equality now!
What made her think THAT was a good idea? Honestly. Is she stupid? Or did she fail Algebra?
Every 8th grader should take Algebra, I did. And what exactly is "nonsensical algebra"? Math is a hard science, it's not religion or psychology. We don't spend our days proving those theories wrong (unless you're a Nobel Peace Prize winning mathmetician).
????????
More education *might* innoculate us against the "Jesus rode dinosaurs" flavor of the dumbassification of America. Plus, although you Luddites don't know it, you've never gone an entire day of your adult life and not used algebra.
Have you never tried to decide between a six-pack and a case of beer?
any 8th grader who wants to earn even poverty wages needs algebra.
any college student will need algebra.
any university graduate may even need statistics or *gasp* calculus!!
I don't think I've ever used algebra for anything, but if anyone would like to provide some example that would prove me wrong, I'm all ears.
And if the example is the aforementioned "trying to decide between a six pack and a case of beer" that is math so simple that you hardly need to take algebra to figure it out. That's more along the lines of just having an IQ higher than 46.
And I got a doctorate without statistics OR calculus.
Face it, not everyone needs math. I know people who enjoy math like to pretend that everyone needs it, but that really isn't the case, and it's silly to insist that it is.
I enjoyed algebra but hated geometry. When in the real world have I ever needed to write a proof? I don't even remember exactly what a proof is, but I do remember I hated them with a passion. Send the judge after geometry teachers next.
Algebra was created by Arabs to make our life hell.
What should he outlaw next. I vote for Gym class. People are joining the Army (...well, JROTC) to avoid it.
Proofs are an excellent way of teaching abstract, logical thinking. Go algebra!
bluecanary: Your touchy feely doctorate in whatever-the-fuck that didn't utilize "numbers" has nothing to do with public education in California. The average high school graduate cannot calculate a 15% tip on a restaurant bill. Algebra has plenty basic uses that shouldn't need explaining. For ex, Should I buy a fastpass or just pay every time I ride MUNI? Is 45 > 1.5x?
Poor math skills is not something that warrants a shrug and a laugh at your own inability at preteen skills. It should be regarded as something similar to illiteracy, as it is in the rest of the world.
Amen, nickcarey.
try getting a doctorate TODAY at a public university (which is all I can afford) without calculus or statistics !!
This is very bad news! He should have issued a restraining order against BAD TEACHERS OF ALGEBRA, not against the subject. Algebra is very important to the development of a kid's brain.
Stop teaching algebra (properly) and you end up with morons.
Like our president, for example. I bet he didn't like algebra.
Why is SFist on the side of ignorance? Is it also SFist opinion that the country does not need mathematicians, scientists, and engineers?
it seems like a reasonable decision to me. when i was in school the 8th grade algebra class consisted mostly of bright kids who had already demonstrated a lot of ability with math. i don't think waiting until 9th or 10th grade to learn it really matters, especially for folks who aren't interested in fields where they are going to need the preparation, or where trying to learn it that early is just going to frustrate and confuse them.
i do agree that most kids should learn at least through geometry or trig just to have the exposure to the material, but kids who are really into that stuff are probably already in the 8th grade version already, since that is a common pacing for learning calculus by 12th grade for the ap exams.