Debate about algebra II for all continues

I say let the public schools do it! We in adult education will gladly take the drop-outs (kidding). Seriously though, Algebra II is definately a valuable tool for college-bound students, and I am well aware that we still use Algebra in day-to-day living, but Algebra II is a huge struggle for many. I just don't see a mechanic or a transcriptionist needed Algebra II to do his/her job. Algebra I is a must, but Algebra II should be for those seeking a Bachelor's degree or higher. By making the course mandatory, Algebra II has to be watered down to accommodate all the students. Sure it waters down the state standards, but I'm sure we are going to do that anyway once they are fully implemented.

From my own experience, teaching Algebra for the GED can be a challenge for my students. They have equations that they have not mastered or have not learned. For the GED 2014, I am not sure I have an opinion how this should be or if it should be included. There are students who have mastered these concepts and would do well in college. With that said, students graduating today - do THEY have the skills for Algebra level 2? I would hope that they would, and if not, will they be able to gain the assistance in college?

I teach part-time at a local university and have taught the Developmental courses (Reading and Math). I have had students struggle with the concepts. Then again, I think that as a nation, we need to have Algebra 2 to be competitive. Many of my ESL students are amazing at math and I often feel inadequate at the mathematical reasoning skills 

    Students might "need" Algebra II to "be competitive" but... are they learning it when we "teach" it?   

   Generally the non-college-bound students are scarcely prepared for Algebra I, so what is called Algebra II is "test prep to look like you know something so our numbers will look good," and teaches instead of math that school is a lie, and further ingrains all kinds of 'Imposter Syndrome' thoughts (the idea that you dont' really belong at your level of whatever; you've just kinda snuck in and could get busted any time). 

    Right now, things are changing so fast that it's pretty hard to say what students "need." We've revamped our math curriculum and students going into majors that don't need college algebra *don't* need Algebra II; we've got a "math literacy" course instead. Other places are different. 

When my daughter had decided what she wanted to study in college (Nursing) the college advisor told her to take as much math as she could take in HS.  The reason:  she needed to develop the problem solving and reasoning skills that she would need in her career.  True, there is math that may never be used again - however, as we go through life we will still need the skills that we used to develop our understanding of math.

I think that students should learn as much algebra as they will need in order to do well in life, plus a little more just in case. I don't know how this translates to Algebra I or Algebra II. In fact, I think that teaching a solid year of algebra is an excellent way to turn people off to math entirely.

One thing I like about the Common Core is that there is an algebra strand continuing across all grade levels. Students will (ideally) be exposed to gradually more complicated ways of using algebra every year instead of having to learn the whole language at once in high school. The great thing about this is that it exposes algebra for what it is: a method for describing and making use of patterns. Learning algebra is something like learning grammar--it helps you to say precisely what you mean in a way that other educated people will understand. Until you have something to talk about, though, it's useless. That's why most students can't see how they would ever use algebra ever again--they are learning grammar without substance. Once you have something to describe, then the grammar starts to be useful.

I don't know how much algebra most people actually use. It certainly depends on profession, among other things. Would people use algebra more if they understood it better? Would making students take Algebra II actually help them understand it? I don't know.

Having read the article and the comments,  I have to agree that there are many levels of Algebra II being taught.  I think there are many schools who offer different levels of Algebra II.  The fact that math helps develop students' logic skills cannot be ignored.  Logic skills are needed in everyday life.  The argument that it is not needed is not very strong to me when you consider other classes students take that they may never seem to need in the future.  I emphasize seem because everything we learn has some benefit even if it is only to exercise our brain.  When I was in high school (many many years ago) counselors helped guide students in the classes they took based on their abilities and future plans.  The drawback to this is some had no future plan.  As a teacher of adults I find that some of my students do not have a clear plan either.  I do believe honing math skills which works on their logic skills can help them move into the direction of planning ahead and realizing there are consequences for every action or lack of action.