In countries like china or india 99% of high school students take calculus. So why dosent the united states make it mandatory so 99% of american students will take it as well?
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Because for very many jobs, calculus is just not necessary. It would be a waste of time for the students that really shouldn't be in Calc, and the school, and would limit the school's options to teach more advanced classes like AP Calculus AB & BC, or Multivariable Calc & Differential Equations, or other college level classes, to the students who need/want them.
Top colleges do like to see that students have taken at least pre-Calculus or Calculus in high school, even if their requirements state Algebra 2. But even for many very high paying jobs, like attorney partner at biglaw (makes more than a physician), there is no need to know Calculus.
Also, if one takes a too high a level of math in high school, in college they'll end up having to take a class that is basically only for someone who needs it for their math related career, or taking an easier math class that makes the student look like a slacker.
While every student should be on track to attend college, not every student is suited for an academic path in college, and it's not helpful to push everyone toward that. Colleges and community colleges teach all kinds of skills, including technical, like plumber, electrician, mechanic, baker, fashion designer, cosmetologist, etc.
I seriously can't think of one time I have needed calculus (which I took in high school) in any of the many businesses and jobs I've had, and I'm sure I make more than people in professions where calculus is needed. When my son yaks about it his AP Calculus homework, it's like a foreign language to me now! I'm always telling him Ack, be quiet, you're giving me a headache!
Not everyone belongs or wants to be on the same track. (My son attends an extremely rigorous private school, very high Ivy matriculation, where many kids take AP Calc AB in 9th, but even at his school not all kids take Calculus by the time they graduate.)
Top colleges do like to see that students have taken at least pre-Calculus or Calculus in high school, even if their requirements state Algebra 2. But even for many very high paying jobs, like attorney partner at biglaw (makes more than a physician), there is no need to know Calculus.
Also, if one takes a too high a level of math in high school, in college they'll end up having to take a class that is basically only for someone who needs it for their math related career, or taking an easier math class that makes the student look like a slacker.
While every student should be on track to attend college, not every student is suited for an academic path in college, and it's not helpful to push everyone toward that. Colleges and community colleges teach all kinds of skills, including technical, like plumber, electrician, mechanic, baker, fashion designer, cosmetologist, etc.
I seriously can't think of one time I have needed calculus (which I took in high school) in any of the many businesses and jobs I've had, and I'm sure I make more than people in professions where calculus is needed. When my son yaks about it his AP Calculus homework, it's like a foreign language to me now! I'm always telling him Ack, be quiet, you're giving me a headache!
Not everyone belongs or wants to be on the same track. (My son attends an extremely rigorous private school, very high Ivy matriculation, where many kids take AP Calc AB in 9th, but even at his school not all kids take Calculus by the time they graduate.)
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its all part of the system that has been in place for the past 100 or so years making our kids progressively dumber. they culminated this disaster with something called "no child left behind". in that system, the smart kid is penalized for making all the dumb kids feel inadequate.