We must put more focus on learning math
As a retired teacher of mathematics, physics and chemistry, I can state that there is a national crisis relating to competency in elementary arithmetic, which impairs the learning of algebra, and mathematically based high school physics and chemistry and third- and fourth-year high school mathematics. Students graduating from elementary school are entering high school not knowing their fractions, decimals, long division and number facts, such as multiplying and dividing using one and zero.
Not knowing elementary school mathematics is in my opinion causing lower scores on standardized tests such as IQ tests, ACT, SAT and employment tests. I have observed that many students can learn to do an algebra problem after four or five practice problems, but often do not obtain the correct answer simply because the students cannot use decimals properly and get the right numerical answer on the other side of the equal sign.
Success in foundation courses such as mathematically based high school physics and chemistry enables an undergraduate in higher education to succeed in STEM and medical-type careers that generate lifetime good paying employment. For example a beginning teacher with state certification in physics, chemistry or mathematics has immediate employment everywhere in America at about $50,000 per year and a registered nurse needed everywhere in America starts at about $50,000 per year well.
To be a registered nurse, one must take as many as three mathematically based chemistry courses.
One of the reasons our capable and intelligent youngsters are not learning their elementary mathematics is the small amount of time spent on this subject. The Japanese spend about four times the time on elementary school mathematics and are superior engineers and scientists. We in America must spend more time teaching elementary school mathematics. America must start a nationwide program to increase mathematics competency.
Stewart E Brekke
Downers Grove