As somebody who rates well within the top 1% of the population in applied math and top 10% of the population with a 4 year degree, as determined by the GT component of the ASVAB, bad math performance is the least of education’s problems.
The much larger problem is the complete inability to communicate in writing. I see this in adult software developers and it’s absolutely mind blowing, like completely astounding shocking.
I learned to write essays and research papers when I was 9 in Texas public schools (3rd grade). There is no magic there. The magic pattern was an introduction, 3 supporting paragraphs, and then a conclusion. Finally, list some citations if any. It absolutely blows my mind that so many adults with a 4 year degree cannot even write a few sentences into an email. WTF!
To my knowledge I have not seen this sort of earth shattering failure of basic education among people with graduate degrees, but the most dire specific examples I have encountered personally were among people with 4 year degrees.
I thought this was on purpose. I'm 62, I've had calculators since the early 1970s. There's no reason at all for the emphasis on memorizing basic arithmetic facts now that we all have supercomputers in our pockets. Other aspects should be emphasized, but aren't. Logic, combinatorics, analysis of tha algorithms used to do arithmetic, even numerical analysis would be a better use of time. But the emphasis on the US on traditional education and so called "basics" prevents pretty much any change in curriculum, except to water it down even further and emphasize team sports more.
I think because maths is taught badly. If you have a deep interest, it works fine. But I was supposed to remember standard formuli in calculus. I loved the ideas of how it worked, but if I need a formula I can look it up. The time would have been better spent on other deeper ideas.
The much larger problem is the complete inability to communicate in writing. I see this in adult software developers and it’s absolutely mind blowing, like completely astounding shocking.
I learned to write essays and research papers when I was 9 in Texas public schools (3rd grade). There is no magic there. The magic pattern was an introduction, 3 supporting paragraphs, and then a conclusion. Finally, list some citations if any. It absolutely blows my mind that so many adults with a 4 year degree cannot even write a few sentences into an email. WTF!