Green Energy
Student A decided to help her classmate Student B. Both students, graduates from high school last June, attend a community college, the credits from which are accepted at all universities in the state of Virginia. Student A and Student B are enrolled in a precalculus course.
Upon helping Student B for a few minutes, Student A discerned that Student B's mathematics skills were woefully inadequate for embarking upon a study of precalculus.
Student A (frowning with dismay): What math courses did you take in high school?
Student B (cheerfully): I had a hard time with Algebra I. Next, I tried Algebra II, but I failed. I took a class in function and did okay with that. I'm taking calculus now because I heard that calculus was easier.
A few weeks later, the day of the midterm exam...
Student B (euphorically): I'm going to get an A on this exam. My fourth grade sister tutored me over the weekend.
A community-college adviser's signature was necessary for each student's admission to classes, and many courses have prerequisites. Nevertheless, the precalculus class in which Student A and Student B are enrolled contains many students clearly incompetent to undertake the study of mathematics at that level — nearly half the class mired in this predicament. Concepts which stump the students include exponents (what they are called and how to work with them) and substituting a value for a variable.
The professor, seasoned but not close to retirement, is at a loss as to what to do. If he fails half the class, he likely loses his job and all benefits connected thereto. If he doesn't fulfill the requirements for the course, none of the students in the class will have the tools they need for their later studies in mathematics.
Thus we see the state of American education today.
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Green Energy
Tales From The Classroom
Spew alert!
Upon helping Student B for a few minutes, Student A discerned that Student B's mathematics skills were woefully inadequate for embarking upon a study of precalculus.
Student A (frowning with dismay): What math courses did you take in high school?
Student B (cheerfully): I had a hard time with Algebra I. Next, I tried Algebra II, but I failed. I took a class in function and did okay with that. I'm taking calculus now because I heard that calculus was easier.
A few weeks later, the day of the midterm exam...
Student B (euphorically): I'm going to get an A on this exam. My fourth grade sister tutored me over the weekend.
A community-college adviser's signature was necessary for each student's admission to classes, and many courses have prerequisites. Nevertheless, the precalculus class in which Student A and Student B are enrolled contains many students clearly incompetent to undertake the study of mathematics at that level — nearly half the class mired in this predicament. Concepts which stump the students include exponents (what they are called and how to work with them) and substituting a value for a variable.
The professor, seasoned but not close to retirement, is at a loss as to what to do. If he fails half the class, he likely loses his job and all benefits connected thereto. If he doesn't fulfill the requirements for the course, none of the students in the class will have the tools they need for their later studies in mathematics.
Thus we see the state of American education today.
- Why These High School Girls Don’t Want A Transgender Student In Their Locker Room
From the Daily Signal: According to the Department of Education’s investigation, Student A began transitioning to a female in middle school. The student was diagnosed with gender dysphoria and currently receives an “ongoing course” of hormone therapy But...
- Mizzou Student Vice President Says, 1st Amendment Creates ‘hostile And Unsafe Learning Environment’
From Mediaite: While most people were following the story of the University of Missouri media studies professor who bullied a student journalist in several viral videos, the school’s student body vice president had a blunt response for journalists...
- School Faces Massive Backlash For Hijab Day
From Biz Pac Review: The idea was to give female students the option of wearing a hijab for the day, then set aside some time for discussion and reflection. Cincinnati.com reported: The event was sponsored by MHS’ Muslim Student Association, but...
- U Cal Values: Usa=evil, Antisemitism Acceptable
U Cal Irvine: A resolution that was narrowly approved by the legislative council of the campus’ Associated Students calls bans all flags from the common lobby area of student government offices, according to the Orange County Register. It prompted...
- When I Feel Like Giving Up...
Along comes something to encourage me. I just got a lengthy end-of-school-term note from a parent. Here's the part I want to share with my fellow anti-jihadists here at IBA:"You have helped inform [my child] of so many political truths, too. [My child]...