I heard Steve Levitt (from Freakonomics fame) discuss this issue on an episode of his new podcast, “People I Mostly Admire.” Here’s the proposal for changing the high school math requirement for most of us. This is from an organization to which Levitt belongs, 21CMath.org:
We surveyed 900 “Freakonomics” podcast listeners — a pretty nerdy group, we must admit — and discovered that less than 12% used any algebra, trigonometry or calculus in their daily lives. Only 2% use integrals or derivatives, the foundational building blocks of calculus. In contrast, a whopping 66% work with basic analytical software like Microsoft Excel on a daily basis.
When was the last time you divided a polynomial? If you were asked to do so today, would you remember how? For the most part, students are no longer taught to write cursive, how to use a slide rule, or any number of things that were once useful in everyday life. Let’s put working out polynomial division using pencil and paper on the same ash heap as sock darning and shorthand.
What we propose is as obvious as it is radical: to put data and its analysis at the center of high school mathematics.
Natalie has been apposing algebra for years saying she’ll never use it but wants accounting, finance and spreadsheet knowledge.
Was this episode of Freak the one where they talked about changing the ACT and SAT in that regard?
No, it was a different episode of a different podcast: “People I Mostly Admire.” I believe that it is this episode: https://freakonomics.com/podcast/pima-bonus-steve-levitt/