BY JOHN KONOP
Math 123 may be a well-intended effort to prepare students for a globally competitive workplace, but it’s a proven failure that’s causing substantially more harm than good. Math 123 radically changed our high school math curriculum without properly reviewing it with teachers and parents. It replaced the traditional math sequence (Algebra I & II, Geometry, and Trigonometry) with Math 1, Math 2, and Math 3, which teaches each subject in parallel, rather than starting and completing one topic before moving on to the next.
Every Georgia child is now required to pass Math 123 to graduate from high school, which means they must complete the equivalent of Algebra II. That is too aggressive of a goal for some students. Prior to Math 123, less than one-third of students were able to complete Algebra I. Those that can’t pass Math 123 are dropping out of school in shocking numbers, which damages their self-esteem and long-term economic prospects. Many resort to taking the GED, which doesn’t require Algebra II, in an effort to salvage their futures.
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