More and more homeschoolers are considering ending their child's high school math after geometry. There are a few reasons for this:
- Some colleges are requiring college algebra regardless of high school math study
- Their students are struggling with math
- They aren't planning to go to a university
- They don't understand why we study higher level math
Did you know that carpenter's tools are shortcuts created from trigonometry?
These are valid concerns and I think addressing them individually seems to make the most sense:
- most colleges do require at least college algebra, but they also often have a way for a student to test out of the course. If your student has completed pre calculus in high school, then she should be able to study for and pass college algebra exam. Completing algebra 2 and pre calc in high school is certainly cheaper than paying for a high school level math in college.
- a student who struggles with math at the age of 17 will most likely still struggle at 19. The difference is the pace. While the mathematics in the college algebra is on par with the high school algebra 2 course, the pace is twice as fast. If your student is struggling through Algebra 2, then I'd recommend taking an extra year in high school to repeat it over trying to do it twice as fast in two years.
- I know that I am going to make some people upset when I ask: Why does everything have to center around the university? Just because your child may not be planning to pursue a four year undergraduate degree doesn't not mean he isn't worthy of a great education! The benefits of the study of Algebra 2 go far beyond the university enrollment process.
- Which leads to this reason: Why do we study higher level mathematics anyway? University requirements aside, the study of a hard topic, which requires multiple steps, complex thinking, and focus builds both character, work ethic, and brain cells in a student. When I'm looking for a course to turn my boys into men, I look to higher math. There are few courses as challenging at the high school level.
So there you have it. Four reasons why people don't, but should study algebra 2.