MuskogeePhoenix.com, Muskogee, OK

Editorials

Discussion

March 18, 2010

Additional math credit just more numbers

A bill requiring additional math credit for students to be eligible to graduate high school just does not add up.

The bill would increase from three to four the number of math credits required for graduating high school in Oklahoma.

State Sen. James Halligan, R-Stillwater, a former president of Oklahoma State University, says high school seniors are not prepared for college or the work force because of a lack of math skills.

“Why do we give them a diploma if we know we’re not adequately preparing them,” Halligan says.

Opponents of the bill say the increased requirements would cripple the state’s career tech system. It also could cause problems for students who will not attend college.

We question whether adding a class is actually fixing the problem.

It sounds like quantity over quality.

If students are lacking math skills in three classes, they might wind up lacking math skills in four classes.

It is possible the problem is in the way the curriculum is set up or the way the classes are taught.

And some students just have a block against math. Some are better in English or Science.

If students are taking remedial math when they reach college, another course in high school won’t help.

Let’s look first at how the classes are being taught.

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