Calculus and driver's licences
The Ontario government is making changes to the education system, two of which are silly moves, imho.
Calculus is being dropped from the high school math courses in order to dumb down the curriculum. Apparently it's been difficult for students to grasp it since OAC (formerly known as grade 13) was eliminated. So the solution is to drop it, and expect universities to pick it up.
It's a silly move, because calculus is an essential fundamental for physical science, mathematics and engineering programs. It's also a great intellectual exercise that develops analytical and problem-solving skills.
Students in other provinces can manage calculus in high school - they've never had OAC - so Ontario students should be able to keep up. It’s not for everyone, but for many in the academic stream, it’s a crucial course.
The government also wants to raise the age of school-leaving to 18 from 16. One of the tools they want to use to compel people to stay is to deny a driver's licence to anyone who quits school before 18. This is a mean-spirited and vindictive move reminiscent of the Mike Harris Tories.
Instead of using punitive measures to compel people to stay in school, the government must make high school more relevant for those who are likely to leave.
Calculus is being dropped from the high school math courses in order to dumb down the curriculum. Apparently it's been difficult for students to grasp it since OAC (formerly known as grade 13) was eliminated. So the solution is to drop it, and expect universities to pick it up.
It's a silly move, because calculus is an essential fundamental for physical science, mathematics and engineering programs. It's also a great intellectual exercise that develops analytical and problem-solving skills.
Students in other provinces can manage calculus in high school - they've never had OAC - so Ontario students should be able to keep up. It’s not for everyone, but for many in the academic stream, it’s a crucial course.
The government also wants to raise the age of school-leaving to 18 from 16. One of the tools they want to use to compel people to stay is to deny a driver's licence to anyone who quits school before 18. This is a mean-spirited and vindictive move reminiscent of the Mike Harris Tories.
Instead of using punitive measures to compel people to stay in school, the government must make high school more relevant for those who are likely to leave.
posted by droppingpin at 7:09 PM
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