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Math
Although I agree to some extent about how math conditions your mind, I don't think that this is the real purpose as to why they[math teachers] are teaching math. I truly do not think the people who force math are thinking about this when they are planning the curriculum, not because that isn't a great idea (which it is), I think they are doing it because they are told to, and it has always been this way. Even those students who do not do well in math, still the learning of some things throughout highschool, even if it is just the basics of math many students will be able to use later in life. I think that math could be taught in a more interesting way. Also, I think that courses should be chosen throughout highschool and that nothing should be required except you must fill up all your classes. The only problem faced by this is the work ethics of most teens today. I think that if hard work were started at a young age by the time the children went to high school, they would have matured enough to make responsible decisions and see that school isn't a joke. I have always felt that when I'm not forced to do something, I do it with more enthusiam and I can learn more from the experience. So in general, yes a better response from the teacher would help greatly, but also a different way of presenting the material would be a big help, too.

Written by TheWhiteMageElite

Tardiness
I have many times pondered over this. I have come to the conclusion that the school district does things without thinking. I have seen this time after time. You made a good point that a set number of "free absenses"...however this could be abused. I think that if you show up before, lets say, 3rd period is halfway over, you could be allowed to do this 2 times and then it becomes one absence. However, at no point, if you showed up before 3rd period is halfway over would you be absent for the whole day.....the whole point to both my reply and the original article by dave is that the district really needs to take 10 minutes and just reconsider their policy and all scenarios of why a student would be late.

Written by TheWhiteMageElite

Your commentaries are quite stimulating to the mind and I must applaud you for your keen insight and political know-how. Your commentaries are sharp and to-the-point, and provide simple yet logical solutions to many problems plaguing our current governmental and social state. If put into action, your solutions would go a long way to restoring waning political and social institutions across the country. Also, if you ever decided to run for a position of notoriety in the governement, you would indefinately get my vote. Your wit and intelligence far exeeds even the most intellectual of men. I look forward to seeing more of your commentaries.
Sincerely,
Your Loyal Fan

Written by Johnny10t

First, I would like to say that I love your site and I agree with most of your ideas. I especially like the "The importance of high school mathematics, the reasoning behind the seemingly pointless work." essay. One thing...I have ADD and have done a lot of research on the subject. ADD is not a disorder that can be aquired. It is passed on from your parents. If you have it, your parents have it (in my case, it's my dad). I'm not criticizing, I'm just enlightening. Your theory still applies, and I think it is a very feasible idea, and actually should be a technique that the education system uses. However, the slightly more practical hypothesis is this: algebra and geometry are used in calculus, calculus is used extensively in physics...Physics is what engineering is all about, and engineering (all types included) is a huge job market. This is why the meaningless mathematics are taught in the classroom, for the engineers.

Sincerely,
Marc Prestianne

Substitutes
I think that your theory on substitutes proves a good point. However, another cost-effective system would be to set up a borrow-give system among teachers of the same curriculum. One history teacher could sub for another history teacher's class during his or her prep period, or combine the two history classes into one room, and then the absent teacher could later repay the favor if the subbing history teacher were to be absent. This way, the students could be learning something, instead of simply doing busywork.

Attendance
On attendance, I have been fighting the policy for a while now. I have many legitimate lates where I come in 5 or 10 minutes into first period. Unfortunately, my parents still want me to attend school on those days, but I am still considered absent. Usually these are the days when the car doesn't start or my brother misses the bus and we have to drop him off at school as well.

Written by Cmantito
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