The memories of adding and subtracting fractions worksheets, long division and multiplication tables bring many people a smile from a memory of their early education. After a recent study though, it may be surmised that the current students may not have memories that are all that fond. Students in the US ranked 36th of 65 countries in standardized math test scores. Are we raising a generation of intellectually lazy future citizens?
How is it that we lose the information that is hammered into our brains as children? Should we continue to be tested after our primary education? It could be argued that regular refresher courses would be in order to keep our brains fit. Another thing to consider is the phrase "if you don't use it, you lose it". If a person graduates from an educational system and then digs ditches for the next ten years, it isn't hopeful that they will retain all of the things they learned.
A system by which we are regularly challenged with simple to complex math problems could be a wonderful way to stimulate a population with more intelligence and comfort in the mathematics arenas of the world. It isn't often that you will be faced with a daily algebra equation to solve but it could be beneficial.
Why should a company pay good wages to an American who doesn't understand simple math when they can hire someone from Shanghai who has all the advantages of a great education and a work ethic to match? The answer is that they shouldn't. It's arrogant for us to think of ourselves as more deserving and stupid for us to expect employers to accept second rate employees and work just to ensure that our people are made more comfortable in the extravagant lives that they already live, comparatively speaking.
Does this ignorance reflect stupidity, apathy, indifference or even all three? It's unthinkable to consider that nobody cares. It's horrifying to think that the responsibility that mankind used to feel for improving constantly has been replaced by the hope that "someone else will do it". What will happen to us as a nation and even as a world if we stop trying to improve?
It's no secret that America has fallen on hard times. It's also no surprise. If we continue to allow other countries to become better educated, they will continue to take jobs and money away from the United States' economy. The dollar's value will continue to fall and smarter countries like China, for example will continue to become more profitable.
It's allowable for students to make mistakes. Nobody is perfect and nobody always gets things the first time. It's not allowable to let entire generations of kids get through an educational system without at least a basic grasp of math. It isn't as if advanced physics is on the agenda of all students but it shouldn't be unthinkable that they should show a proficiency in algebra and basic arithmetic.
So let's challenge ourselves and our children to break out those adding and subtracting fractions worksheets and let's sit down to work out some arbitrary algebra equations. The results will speak for themselves when we don't need to break out a calculator to find the percentage for a tip. The resulting fitness of the mind will stimulate wiser decisions and confidence. It's about time we allow ourselves to be the people we should be.
How is it that we lose the information that is hammered into our brains as children? Should we continue to be tested after our primary education? It could be argued that regular refresher courses would be in order to keep our brains fit. Another thing to consider is the phrase "if you don't use it, you lose it". If a person graduates from an educational system and then digs ditches for the next ten years, it isn't hopeful that they will retain all of the things they learned.
A system by which we are regularly challenged with simple to complex math problems could be a wonderful way to stimulate a population with more intelligence and comfort in the mathematics arenas of the world. It isn't often that you will be faced with a daily algebra equation to solve but it could be beneficial.
Why should a company pay good wages to an American who doesn't understand simple math when they can hire someone from Shanghai who has all the advantages of a great education and a work ethic to match? The answer is that they shouldn't. It's arrogant for us to think of ourselves as more deserving and stupid for us to expect employers to accept second rate employees and work just to ensure that our people are made more comfortable in the extravagant lives that they already live, comparatively speaking.
Does this ignorance reflect stupidity, apathy, indifference or even all three? It's unthinkable to consider that nobody cares. It's horrifying to think that the responsibility that mankind used to feel for improving constantly has been replaced by the hope that "someone else will do it". What will happen to us as a nation and even as a world if we stop trying to improve?
It's no secret that America has fallen on hard times. It's also no surprise. If we continue to allow other countries to become better educated, they will continue to take jobs and money away from the United States' economy. The dollar's value will continue to fall and smarter countries like China, for example will continue to become more profitable.
It's allowable for students to make mistakes. Nobody is perfect and nobody always gets things the first time. It's not allowable to let entire generations of kids get through an educational system without at least a basic grasp of math. It isn't as if advanced physics is on the agenda of all students but it shouldn't be unthinkable that they should show a proficiency in algebra and basic arithmetic.
So let's challenge ourselves and our children to break out those adding and subtracting fractions worksheets and let's sit down to work out some arbitrary algebra equations. The results will speak for themselves when we don't need to break out a calculator to find the percentage for a tip. The resulting fitness of the mind will stimulate wiser decisions and confidence. It's about time we allow ourselves to be the people we should be.
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