How smart would American Kids be

[Amplifier]

So we force kids to go through 3-4 years of history in highschool of which they remember almost nothing. I wonder how smart they would be if they took math classes instead... check out this four year math schedule (in my school they used 4 period semesters)

1st Semester Freshman - Algebra I
2nd Semester Freshman - Algebra II
1st Semester Sophomore- Geometry
2nd Semester Sophomore- Trig
1st Semester Junior- Precalc
2nd Semester Junior- Calc I
1st Semester Senior- Calc II
2nd Semster Senior- Linear Algebra

Even if the kid fails a couple classes, they can at least graduate with Calc level math skills (no normal human lacks the ability to do calculus I). And if you were a little more advanced in Math, you could graduate having taken Calc III, Diff Q, and Linear Algebra. Two-Three classes away from a math minor!

We'd see almost every kid get above a 700 on their math SAT and put the Japanese and French schools to shame in math. All we have to do is replace a class that may or may not be useful with classes that are required for every high paying degree. They say those who don't remember history are doomed to repeat it, I say find me a high school graduate who even knows our constitution. By the way, I rule.

 

[ElFenix]

they'd we'd end up with a bunch of human calculators who don't have the knowledge of the past to calculate what the future should be if this course of action is pursued

 

[cKGunslinger]

:thumbsdown:

I personally dislike social-sciences, but I do recognize their value and importance in our education system.

 

[Jzero]

I must have gone to an advanced school becuase I had history AND math. Science, too!

 

[Alienwho]

I'd rather take 5 history classes than 1 math class.

 

[Babbles]

Probably make kids more "dumb" because they would not taking classes to get a well-rounded education and/or develop other essential learning skills. Furthermore in day-to-day living, there is no need for the average person graduating high school to have a background in calculus.

You seem to have a very twisted definition of "smart" and I would say that your idea is anything but.

 

[Jfrag Teh Foul]

Originally posted by: ElFenix
they'd we'd end up with a bunch of human calculators who don't have the knowledge of the past to calculate what the future should be if this course of action is pursued

QFT

 

[ryan256]

Well.. I can understand having students take world history and even US history. I do wish they would make the state history class an elective rather than required.

 

[CPA]

since everything in this world is derived by some form or level of mathmatics, I agree.

 

[Lonyo]

Originally posted by: Jzero
I must have gone to an advanced school becuase I had history AND math. Science, too!

We have to do 5 years of maths and a minimum of 3 years history in high school (certainly 5 years of maths, unless we drop out).
I did 7 and 5 before I went to university/college. (In the UK)

 

[xanis]

Originally posted by: Alienwho
I'd rather take 5 history classes than 1 math class.

QFT

 

[jmagnum]

Originally posted by: Amplifier
So we force kids to go through 3-4 years of history in highschool of which they remember almost nothing.

What's to say they are not going to forget the math?

 

[Chiropteran]

I learned more about american history from watching "Last of the Mohicans" "The Patriot" and "V for Vendetta" than I can remember from school.

 

[Chiropteran]

Originally posted by: jmagnum

Originally posted by: Amplifier
So we force kids to go through 3-4 years of history in highschool of which they remember almost nothing.

What's to say they are not going to forget the math?

The math classes build on each other. You remember algebra while you do geometry because you still use the algebra. Your remember functions while you do calculus because you need to know how to do functions in calculus.

 

[Falloutboy]

oh hell no, 4 math classes was enough for me in HS.

now science and History I wouldn't mind a bit more of that, but math is so god damn boring

 

[oboeguy]

I'm a math guy and I say don't take away history classes. They're important, IMO.

 

[Linflas]

From what I read in threads here and in P&N I find it hard to believe that history is taught at all let alone taught too much.

 

[Jzero]

Originally posted by: Chiropteran
Your remember functions while you do calculus because you need to know how to do functions in calculus.

And you remember calculus because you frequently lose your angel food cake recipe, but you just happen to always remember the proportions of ingredients WRT to the volume of the bundt pan which you can handily figure out using functions and calculus.

Because the bundt pan has its corresponding function stamped right on the bottom of it.

 

[waggy]

while i would like to see that math put in place kids also need history, science etc. Get away from the BS of worrying if you are going to hurt the kids feelings because he does not know something. If the kid deserves a F give the little ****** a F.

Also stop doing all the standardized testing. it is a huge waste of time.


i feel sorry for kids today. they are not getting a education like they should.

 

[Cabages]

Yes, lets all learn useless knowledge!

Seriously, being in high school now, they teach us some pretty useless stuff.

You will be unlucky if you use more than 1/4 of what you learned in math.

You will be extremely unlucky if you use more than an 1/6 of what you learn in science.

I already know what career I want to go into, yet they make me take a year and a half of pointless art classes. Art FTL.

 

[dguy6789]

Those who do not learn from the past are doomed to repeat it.

 

[UNCjigga]

Originally posted by: ElFenix
they'd we'd end up with a bunch of human calculators who don't have the knowledge of the past to calculate what the future should be if this course of action is pursued

Neocons?

 

[zephyrprime]

That is the most idiotic idea I have ever heard. If anything, average people benefit a lot more from history class than from math class. Face it, only the best math students in the top few percent of their class ever go on to any sort of profession where they use their elite math skills. The rest do little more math than balance their checkbook. On the other hand, everyone faces the issue which leaders we need to elect and for that task, an understanding of history is extremely important.

 

[Legend]

I think the lack of motivation on the part of students is a bigger problem.

A good History class is a good part of education.

 

[Gerbil333]

You're a maroon.