MS>     Many HS students can't handle advanced math 
 MS> courses, if only because math is a _sequential_ 
 MS> subject.
 MS>     Trying to teach some kid Algebra II when he never got a good 
 MS> grasp of junior-high prealgebra is an exercise in 
 MS> futility, since the kid would have to learn not 
 MS> only the Algebra II but two years of prealgebra 
 MS> skills in one year.
 MS>     "As much math as they can handle" is like 
 MS> saying "as much basketball as they can handle".  
 MS> Some kids, like me in school, are just apathetic 
 MS> about sports (or math!) and/or lack any 
 MS> background...and won't be good candidates for the 
 MS> varsity team.
Hey, keep em dumb, there are plenty of jobs in North Carolina's mills, right 
Matt?
 
Most kids can do _FAR_ better in math than they do.  It isn't their lack of 
potential, it is people like you that don't want the "underclass" educated - 
heaven forbid that they might rise to their potential.
 
As for math being the only _sequential_ subject, IMO, you have that wrong.  
All subjects are built on collection of facts that build a base for 
understanding.  
 
As for your basketball analogy, its worn out, life is not a basketball game 
where most just watch while the superstars play.  Participants in this 
country need to be educated to succeed.  The more, the better for  our 
country.
 MS>     I question the logic of it.
 MS>     America is swamped in record underemployment of 
 MS> highly-educated workers.  There is no 'shortage' 
 MS> of workers highly skilled in math when AT&T, IBM, 
 MS> Boeing, etc. are "downsizing" so many engineers out 
 MS> of work.
Hmmm, I see ads for engineers, programmers, systems analysists, etc. all good 
paying jobs.  I don't see that the country is swamped with unemployed skilled 
workers.  I do see people that have not kept their skills current having 
trouble with jobs.  AT&T is hiring in this area, know anyone speaking a 
second language? (their requirement as AT&T is going into Central & South 
America in a big way).  Most of these so-called engineers were people in 
middle management that sat happily and unproductively, pushing papers around. 
 BTW, Boeing is hiring engineers, but they better know how to use automated 
tools.
--- Maximus 2.02
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