Comments on: OPINION: Algebra success isn’t about a ‘perfect’ curriculum — schools need to invest in math teacher training and coaching

By: DuWayne Krause

DuWayne Krause — Tue, 23 Apr 2024 20:59:51 +0000

Successful education countries put their money into developing the best teachers, that they can. In the United States we put our money into ineffective programs (flavor of the month and reducing class sizes-which is not effective). As a high school math teacher, I see plummeting expectations. I graduated from a small town high school and every one of my classmates (except one student in special education) could easily do basic arithmetic. Most of the students that I see coming into high school can’t even do basic arithmetic. I hear numerous lame excuses as to why this is so. The fault lies with our lack of expectations, in schools.

By: Glen Martin

Glen Martin — Sat, 20 Apr 2024 18:34:12 +0000

Students need well prepared, well educated and caring teachers. Parents also need to encourage the children.
My parents saw to it that I did the math home work. My eighth grade class did not finish the math text, so my parents borrowed the textbook and every day during the summer, I studied mathematics till I finished the text.
As a retired chemist, professor, I find the college students generally lacking in academic and laboratory and problem solving skills. This lack is a consequence of societal dysfunction and declining academic standards in the public schools. We as a society need to do much better.