Do all students need four years of high school mathematics?

Yes. Principles and Standards clearly states that “all students are expected to study mathematics each of the four years that they are enrolled in high school.” The need to understand and be able to use mathematics in everyday life and in the workplace has never been greater and will continue to increase. For example: • Mathematics for life.We live in a mathematical world. Everyday activities such as making purchasing decisions, choosing insurance or health plans, or planning for the future require quantitative understanding. • Mathematics for the workplace. Mathematical thinking and problem solving are needed in a variety of jobs ranging from word processing to controlling machines, to analyzing complicated sets of data, to ensuring quality control in production processes. Providing a broad and deep mathematics program for all students ensures their ability to make, and be successful at, a wide range of career choices. • Mathematics for the scientific and technical community. The ...  more