Reply #6: No algebra for me till 9th grade [View All]

I started algebra in 9th grade. I was near the top of my class in both junior high and high school. I took Algebra in 9th, Plane Geometry in 10th, Algebra II in 11th, and Solid Geometry/Trig. in 12th. I did very well with algebra and placed high in statewide tests. After I hit three dimensional math I didn't do so well. I took Calculus in my freshman year and struggled. Thankfully I didn't have to take any more for my Biology major.

I cannot imagine a lot of kids taking algebra in 8th grade. What's the rush here? Do they have that many math teachers? Do they want to force underperforming kids who struggle with math anyway to absolutely HATE math and never take any more than they have to? My husband is a systems analyst. He HATED math and did everything he could to avoid it at all costs, yet he can program and figure things out logically. This requirement would have sent him into some tizzy in junior high for sure.

I agree: kids can start Algebra later than junior high and still do very well in math. For the kids who are able to handle advanced math at a younger age, I think it's fine. Our 7th grade math teacher (back in 1961) had a group of kids he taught higher level math to on his/their lunch hour. Many of those kids (mostly boys, if truth be told) went on to become engineers, chemists, etc. I cannot remember if I was invited to this group or not. It may have conflicted with a singing group I attended during my lunch hour and I wanted to do this rather than math (as I was contemplating a music major for awhile). By the time I got to senior math, however, there was only one other girl taking it with me. We both ended up on the technical side of health care; she became a Physical Therapist, and I went into Medical Technology.

We need to do what we can to recognize boys AND girls who have mathematical talent at young ages. I do not think forcing everyone to take high level math at a young age is the answer. It will slow down the kids who can whiz through this stuff, and it will discourage the kids who have a tough time of it.

I knew a few kids who got law degrees and did extremely well with English, History, etc. who struggled with science and math. One of them is now a vice president of a large corporation and he heads their legal department. Another friend was an absolute math whiz, got one of the highest SAT scores you could get on the special Math II SAT test, but almost didn't graduate from college because he did so poorly in Freshman English that he had to take it three times to pass it.

We are not all created equal when it comes to left and right brain talents.