Is Math Required In Higher Education

In fact, nearly 88 percent of students from the Class of 2012 — graduated on time. It was the fifth consecutive year of improvement. Although Texas lawmakers argued the rigorous math course was pushing some students to drop out, it actually has nothing to do with the requirement of algebra II. Studies have shown that there is no correlation between graduation rates and higher standards, said Dounay Zinth, the education policy analyst. This proves that algebra II should be required.

I find absolute excitement in figuring out math equations. I love the challenge that it offers my mind, giving me the opportunity to advance my knowledge by utilizing the part of my brain that is not commonly used in regular day to day communications. While in high school, I took Consumer Math, Algebra II, and Trigonometry all in the same semester. As for Consumer Math, it being a very basic sub field of math such as checkbook balancing and so forth, I found it to be the most complex to understand. Oddly enough, Algebra II was easier for me to grasp and Trigonometry was that much easier. I found simple math harder for me to understand but that my brain was able to work out more advanced math problems with much ease. I even at one point in time

Every person has his or her idea of what education should be. One wants to be educated or go to universities so he or she could have a higher degree. Some other person wants to get education just to fulfill one's self. Many people get college education thinking that they can make more money. Education is not about money; it is a lifetime process that enables one to satisfy one's inner self. It makes a person feel good for who they are inside.

Yet many people don't seem to see it as a learning experience but instead a necessity to get to reach or stay in middle class. To me, the purpose of college is simple to help citizens to not only reach their maximum potential but to become better citizens. This can be achieved in college not only by our rigorous coursework but by the guidance of our professors.

to understand each branch of the tree better if you can see how it is involved

On the other hand, according to NCTM members, college algebra needs to be implemented in the school system. Their Standards show that “mathematical power” is required in order for students to perform effectively in a “variety of authentic settings” (Steen 1992). Algebra looked upon from a student perspective is known as a problem solving skill meaning a process to seek solutions to certain problems give. However, looking at algebra from a broad approach we notice that it is very similar to human stages which are considered to be a baby crawling, walking, and then being able to run. In order to understand what algebra is we must first look at a problem given to us understand what the problem is, question ourselves to what is given, and then realize the conditions that are presented which then helps us plan our strategy to solve a problem. This approach is useful not only in mathematics, but in other concepts such as in science. In algebra, logical thinking is used this is to make sense or make connections of a problem in order to find a solution. Algebra is known to be a part of mathematics that includes general letters and symbols to represent numbers that can be formulated and found by solving equations. Some students fail to build a solid foundation in mathematics which is why they are unprepared for college and for work. As future math teachers, we must encourage students to understand the concept behind college algebra which will help them excel in their future.

Geometry and Algebra are so crucial to the development of the world it is taught to every public high school in the United States, around 14.8 million teenagers each year (National Center for Education Statistics). Mathematics is the engine powering our world; our stocks, economy, technology, and science are all based off from math. Math is our universal and definite language “I was especially delighted with the mathematics, on account of the certitude and evidence of their reasonings.” (Rene Descartes, 1637).

I am a math major, I love and excel at math, and I failed my first algebra test. I know of many people who hate math, who struggled with math, who could not get past algebra, no matter how hard they tried. Yet we cannot blame them—and we cannot blame algebra either. I got past that test and I passed the class, and algebra has helped me in countless ways, and it has made me a better student. It is the responsibility of schools to prepare students for the working world, to prepare them to be a thoughtful, skillful, and knowledgeable member of our society. Some people mistake a lack of technical, specific abilities as a weakness, but the focus on general knowledge like algebra allows for a breadth of tools to be opened up for students to learn in the future. Schools should teach students to reason abstractly, to acquire skills to be used in many contexts, and to learn to solve practical problems. Algebra does this.

Liberal Arts is no longer what it used to be. Throughout the years it has lost the public’s support, and its importance has begun to be questioned. Although it has been looked down upon, liberal arts possesses many qualities that are vital to an exceptional education. Yale’s faculty claim that liberal arts aim is “not to teach that which is peculiar to any one of the professions, but to lay the foundation which is common to them all” This certainly does not exclude STEM education. A strong education in the liberal arts is key to longterm success in a STEM career incorporating the ability to think critically, to become better people and better working professionals, and to reinstall liberal learning to its proper place in higher education.

Students attending universities and colleges are receiving a higher education. I believe the purpose of higher education can vary based on the students needs or what they are hoping to achieve. For some, a higher education degree is required for their choice of profession, such as a teacher or a nurse. For others, a higher education degree is needed to help further them in a specific career field, such as the dairy manager of a grocery store earning his Bachelor of Business Administration to one day be the Store or Regional Manager. And others, such as myself, earn a higher education degree to help with a career change or even for a feeling of personal

A college education has been viewed as the key to the American dream. There are many opinions on the purpose of a college education from obtaining new information, becoming a more well-rounded individual or preparing for the workforce. Originally, the college education was primarily used to become more educated to provide services to society; however, the college education is perceived as an expectation and mandatory in becoming a useful person in society and workforce. The purpose of obtaining a college education to obtain the skills necessary to become a well-rounded individual in society.

Today’s high school juniors and seniors apply to hundreds of college and universities a year, but why? What is the purpose of higher education in today’s world? Is it to obtain a degree in hopes of establishing a flourishing career, in order to make money and have a successful, content future? Is it to grow as an individual? On the other hand, is it for something as superficial as being able to attend the parties?

Secondly the purpose of a college education is to meet the student's liberal art’s needs so that they can compete and give them a well-rounded education that will enable them to earn

Mathematics is considered a science that manipulates symbols according to given rules or instructions which can also be considered the science of numbers. My belief is that being literate in mathematics is crucial in this world because I consider math to be the base to explain various quantitative disciplines in fields such as finance, physics, biology, economics and chemistry. Moreover, I have always had a positive attitude while solving mathematical problems because there are so many different ways we can solve a problem such as constructing a graph, an equation, or preparing statistics. As a child PBL was implemented gradually and I believe it should slowly be introduced through the years to make teaching and learning more memorable for the students. Some students believe they were born being incompetent in math; however, I believe that no one was born being bad at math, they just believe so and as teachers we must motivate those who are in denial to improve their mathematical skills in order to prevent poor academic performance and develop their cognitive skills. Being a senior in UTRGV and studying math for more than sixteen years reflects my positive attitude in regard to this subject. Mathematics has influenced my life positively by allowing me to study a STEM field degree that will open various opportunities for me.

Firstly, society should view higher education as much more than the path to obtaining a degree. The real merit of higher education lies not in the practical use of a degree to obtain a job, but simply in the acquisition of more knowledge. On a basic level, attending a university gives young minds a space in which to study their chosen field. The Chinese philosopher Hsun Tzu argued that