Part II -
The L.A. Times went on to say that when the Los Angeles Board of Education approved tougher graduation requirements that went into effect in 2003, the intention was to give kids a better education and groom more graduates for college and high-level jobs.
For the first time, students had to pass a year of algebra and a year of geometry or an equivalent class to earn diplomas. The policy was born of a worthy goal but has proved disastrous for students unprepared to meet the new demands.
When I asked a UCS professor who has written several opinion pieces in the Los Angeles Times about the Algebra II requirement he said, ?“to answer your question specifically: NO, requiring Algebra II as a grad requirement is stupid. There is no reason why that course should be a sine qua non for graduation.?”
He also pointed out, ?“Those who argue - apparently unsuccessful - for a stronger vocational ed program are right. Instead of forcing kids into classes they have no interest in or aptitude for we?’d be better off providing them with instruction in career skills of a vo-ed nature. And I say this as someone who spent most of his working years as a history professor in a university classroom.?”
California?’s education department has been shooting itself in the foot since 1997. The LAUSD is aiming for the heart. (David Coffin is a writer and a contributor to CityWatch. He is an education activist and a member of the Neighborhood Council of Westchester-Playa del Rey. Read more of Coffin?’s views at www.westchesterparents.org) _
By David Coffin - LA Times
The L.A. Times went on to say that when the Los Angeles Board of Education approved tougher graduation requirements that went into effect in 2003, the intention was to give kids a better education and groom more graduates for college and high-level jobs.
For the first time, students had to pass a year of algebra and a year of geometry or an equivalent class to earn diplomas. The policy was born of a worthy goal but has proved disastrous for students unprepared to meet the new demands.
When I asked a UCS professor who has written several opinion pieces in the Los Angeles Times about the Algebra II requirement he said, ?“to answer your question specifically: NO, requiring Algebra II as a grad requirement is stupid. There is no reason why that course should be a sine qua non for graduation.?”
He also pointed out, ?“Those who argue - apparently unsuccessful - for a stronger vocational ed program are right. Instead of forcing kids into classes they have no interest in or aptitude for we?’d be better off providing them with instruction in career skills of a vo-ed nature. And I say this as someone who spent most of his working years as a history professor in a university classroom.?”
California?’s education department has been shooting itself in the foot since 1997. The LAUSD is aiming for the heart. (David Coffin is a writer and a contributor to CityWatch. He is an education activist and a member of the Neighborhood Council of Westchester-Playa del Rey. Read more of Coffin?’s views at www.westchesterparents.org) _
By David Coffin - LA Times
