tblumer3

Wow, this article sounds like the perfect invite to not work too hard in life and just cruise by. Thanks! Thats just what more American's need, a reason not to work!

And yes, I read the comments here about working hard, then letting the chips fall where they may. But that was not the message of the article. It was just one line smashed between a bunch of crap about accepting where you are in life. WTF is this junk?

If your life sucks, make it better. No one will do it for you. Period.

Your last line doesn't make sense. If they think that, then they are going to fail. Hence, they won't be in charge...

Unfortunately, our schools DON'T teach 12 years of math. They act like they do, but kids don't learn it. And very few kids get to the pre-calc level. Particularly in the schools that will be targeted by this government waste.

If you read HN, you had a better math and science education than 90% of this country, don't act like every kid was as precocious or as motivated as you.

Only 26% of high school seniors are considered "Proficient" at math, which I can assure you is a MUCH lower bar than knowing calculus.

http://www.nationsreportcard.gov/

I think what you are overlooking is that kids CANNOT really do math. 67% or 8th graders are rated as "not proficient" in math, and that is compared to the government standard (which I would bet money is incredibly low). How will they do algebra in a program when they can't do algebra on paper?

BTW, its even worse for 12th grade.

http://www.nationsreportcard.gov/

This comment cannot be repeated enough. You can graduate with a high GPA from a respected CS program and still be able to do next to nothing. You have to choose to learn and being in college does not do that for you.

Note: my hindsight is 20/20