TESC does not accept ALEKS Beginning Algebra.

[burbuja0512]

Ok, I didn't try the beginning level on ALEKS, just Pre-Calc (which is pretty hard too, as I am also seriously math deficient)

I assume the "Asian" comment is because I'm not currently sitting at home in the states writing this, as per my location listed under my id. What the Asians are doing is not directly relevant to the mathematics education issues in the states. The U.S is so far behind many other industrialized nations (and many non-industrialized nations now) that a lot of workers for technical jobs have to be recruited from abroad. I finally watched "Waiting for Superman" a couple of days ago, and there was some interesting commentary on this.

Some other related articles:
1987
U.S. PUPILS LAG IN MATH ABILITY, 3 STUDIES FIND - NYTimes.com
2003
http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0923110.html
2007
U.S. Teens Trail Peers Around World on Math-Science Test - washingtonpost.com


Anyway, getting a bit off topic here, it's not too relevant whether or not I personally agree with TESC and not ACE, as I'm not in the TESC administration

...Staying off topic for one more minute, I would like to comment on our lagging math skills.

I totally agree that in K-12, kids should be taught as much math as possible and given the chance to succeed and have a solid mathematical base so that if they choose an undergraduate degree that requires this type knowledge, that they are fully able to perform.

However, even though I agree with TESC's decision to not accept beginning Algebra, I don't think that any more math is really needed, depending on the major. Seriously, who even uses algebra in life? I know that's not necessarily a valid argument, but I've lived 35 years with my basic math skills and never had a problem... in fact, I have a successful career. I felt like the Math CLEP was a good representation of the maximum amount of mathematics that I'll ever need. For someone who is majoring in any sort of liberal arts field, I'm not sure I totally understand needed to know more. I would rather spend my time doing something more interesting and fulfilling like learning another language or reading about different cultures around the world, or perhaps even art history.