Andrew Hacker Is Algebra Necessary Summary

Is Algebra Necessary? In the article “ Is Algebra Necessary?” author Andrew Hacker explains why he thinks math is good to a certain extent. He explains that to many people fail school before graduating high school. I agree with everything he has to say about algebra, as a high school student struggling to pass math myself. Math is a subject that many students of all ages fail yearly. Should we put our children through it or not? Will knowing the formula of a triangle and a trapezoid really benefit people in the future? Personally math has been a struggle for me my whole life. I could understand the basics such as division, multiplication and addition. But after the simple elementary math I have struggled with the more complex part of math. from not understanding formulas to not remembering laws and rules on tests. In Andrew Hackers article he says “ Of course, people should learn basic numerical skills: decimals, ratios and estimating, sharpened by a good grounding in arithmetic.”(Hacker). I completely agree because without these basic concepts of math we wouldn't be able to even …show more content…
But math should not be a required subject through highschool and college in my opinion. Without the basic math skills we wouldn’t have a functioning banking system or even a working government. Math is a great subject, but to much math is not necessary. If anything schools could introduce higher math classes and let the individual student decide if they are interested in it. Hacker says, “Instead of investing so much of our academic energy in a subject that blocks further attainment for much of our population, I propose that we start thinking about alternatives. Thus mathematics teachers at every level could create exciting courses in what I call “citizen statistics.”(Hacker) School could even make it an extra activity at school. Math is not made for everyone and it is not right to put everyone through