The Algebra Conspiracy

THE ALGEBRA CONSPIRACY

What The Educational Establishment Doesn't Want You To Hear!

More and more of our secondary school students are being required to take two or three years of college-prep mathematics (Algebra, Geometry, etc.) to qualify for a high school diploma. The problem is that many of these students cannot perform elementary arithmetic with common fractions, decimal fractions and percents, so any attempt to teach them Algebra is doomed to failure. In addition, many other students are able to pass these required math classes, but plan to enter jobs and professions where knowledge of college-prep mathematics is irrelevant -- such as teaching English or becoming a social worker, carpenter, journalist, etc. They are being forced to spend years studying material they will never use in their adult life.

All over the United States, many, many students are sitting in Algebra and Geometry classes that they may not want, that they may not need to fulfill requirements for their planned future employment, or that they may not be academically equipped to handle. In many school districts, this is creating an academic nightmare, as more and more math teachers are faced with the Hobson's choice of either failing half their students, giving out so-called "gift D's" that by definition are not earned, or severely watering down their curriculum so more student can pass the classes. Some states, experimenting with high school "exit exams," are finding that so many students cannot pass the mathematics portion that the exams are being discontinued.

"The Algebra Conspiracy" is an irreverent, radical, politically incorrect, passionate book which challenges the educational establishment's view on the teaching of secondary school mathematics. The author, Mike Wiener, taught both junior high and senior high mathematics during his 27-year teaching career and also earned a national reputation in the field of academic journalism. He was named 1979 California High School Journalism Teacher of the Year and won several national awards.

"The Algebra Conspiracy" can be purchased on-line at www.amazon.com or at www.barnesandnoble.com, or can be ordered at any bookstore.



	*THE ALGEBRA CONSPIRACY* What The Educational Establishment Doesn't Want You To Hear! More and more of our secondary school students are being required to take two or three years of college-prep mathematics (Algebra, Geometry, etc.) to qualify for a high school diploma. The problem is that many of these students cannot perform elementary arithmetic with common fractions, decimal fractions and percents, so any attempt to teach them Algebra is doomed to failure. In addition, many other students are able to pass these required math classes, but plan to enter jobs and professions where knowledge of college-prep mathematics is irrelevant -- such as teaching English or becoming a social worker, carpenter, journalist, etc. They are being forced to spend years studying material they will never use in their adult life. All over the United States, many, many students are sitting in Algebra and Geometry classes that they may not want, that they may not need to fulfill requirements for their planned future employment, or that they may not be academically equipped to handle. In many school districts, this is creating an academic nightmare, as more and more math teachers are faced with the Hobson's choice of either failing half their students, giving out so-called "gift D's" that by definition are not earned, or severely watering down their curriculum so more student can pass the classes. Some states, experimenting with high school "exit exams," are finding that so many students cannot pass the mathematics portion that the exams are being discontinued. *"The Algebra Conspiracy"* is an irreverent, radical, politically incorrect, passionate book which challenges the educational establishment's view on the teaching of secondary school mathematics. The author, Mike Wiener, taught both junior high and senior high mathematics during his 27-year teaching career and also earned a national reputation in the field of academic journalism. He was named 1979 California High School Journalism Teacher of the Year and won several national awards. "The Algebra Conspiracy" can be purchased on-line at www.amazon.com or at *www.barnesandnoble.com, or can be ordered at any bookstore.*