Students are pushing the boundaries of math in high school because of a corresponding surge in high school-level math in middle schools. Driving the trend is a conviction that algebra, long the exclusive province of high schools and colleges, is a fundamental pre-collegiate skill that should be taught as soon as students are ready to learn it. Students with a flicker of math talent are taking the high school Algebra I course in eighth grade, if not before. Starting with the Class of 2009, Marylanders must pass an algebra test to exit high school. Virginia requires algebra to graduate; the District does not.
I took Algebra in the 8th grade, more than 20 years ago (man do I feel old writing that). In many respects I think I was ready for Algebra earlier. However, I took no math beyond calculus in high school because nothing else was offered. It is good to see more demand. However, I have to dispute the whole headline. Just because students are taking higher level mathematics doesn't mean they are calculating beyond their years, but simply demanding something that challenges them. (looks good on the old college application too!!)
On a slightly different matter, the photo accompanying this article prominently shows two young women, a great visual to remind us that women can handle higher order math. With other role models like Danica McKellar(you know, Winnie from the Wonder Years) who is not only an actress but a mathematician (majored in the subject at UCLA), it would be good to see more women in math and engineering majors. Her website includes a link for mathematics and it not just about her acting career.
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