Comment You guys are weird. (Score 1) 490
I wish you 'Correlation != Causation' nutjobs could put down the sauce and actually consider the issue.
Have you EVEN CONSIDERED that the concepts taught in Algebra II might in fact have a CAUSAL relationship with later success? Look through the core concepts listed below and ask yourself (A) would knowing these concepts be critical for success in pure science and engineering coursework? (B) would knowing these concepts be useful for social sciences? (C) could the mental gymnastics practiced in algebra 2 help develop the critical thinking necessary for harder subjects?
You guys go on and on about how politicians etc. have no science background and then go batshit crazy the moment someone suggests that 'hard' math/science should be part of a core curriculum. As a practicing scientist I use the below core concepts literally every day (matlab ftw), and I certainly wish more people were walking around with a working knowledge of these subjects. Even english & art majors would benefit from knowing these concepts.
Absurdity note: As probability and statistics are part of the algebra 2 core, a person would HAVE TO KNOW ALGEBRA 2 to even understand the 'correlation != causation' arguement.
Per random googling, here is a basic algebra 2 core:
- Equations and Inequalities
- Linear Equations and Functions
- Systems of Linear Equations and Inequalities
- Matrices and Determinants
- Quadratic Functions
- Polynomials and Polynomial Functions
- Powers, Roots, and Radicals
- Exponential and Logarithmic Functions
- Rational Equations and Functions
- Quadratic Relations and Conic Sections
- Sequences and Series
- Probability and Statistics
- Trigonometric Ratios and Functions
- Trigonometric Graphs, Identities, and Equations