Four Years of High School Math Is Vital to College Success
A recent Kansas City Star editorial noted that one in four college freshmen require at least one remedial course in college.
Poor math skills are a particular problem at the college level. While high schools can address this issue by offering a more rigorous curriculum, parents must do their part by encouraging their children to take four years of college prep math in high school.
Allowing your child to “opt out” of high school math is one of the most expensive mistakes you can make.
To get a bachelor’s degree in any discipline, your child will need to complete at least college algebra with a grade of C or better.
College advisers, however, routinely work with students whose last math course was completed sophomore or junior year in high school. These students say they intend to get a four-year college degree. They are surprised and irritated to find out they have to take the math in college they chose not to take in high school.
The fact is there is no way your child will be ready to succeed in college algebra with two or three years of high school math, especially if that math is consumer math or algebra prep.
Students with only two years of high school math will be required to take at least one remedial math courses to build up to a course that will count as an elective toward a four-year degree. College algebra is after that. (…)
Source: Kansas City Star, MO
http://www.kansascity.com/business/story/501472.html
March 10th, 2008 at 7:22 PM
I just wanted to point out that the information stating that at least college algebra will be required to receive a four year degree is inaccurate. I received a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university without taking any math coursework. Nor did I test out. While it is certainly limiting in regards to degree program, math coursework is not required.