WashPost: College is remade as tech majors surge and humanities dwindle

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just curious: Do VA, MD and DC public schools require Algebra II as the minimum for HS graduation? If that’s the case, it’s too much. California requires Algebra I as the minimum for HS graduation, but that requirement is under review by the state education officials. That requirement was imposed decades ago and reflects institutional racism. They are thinking about getting rid of that requirement. In some respects they have a point: why require algebra I when your career goal is to be a hair stylist? Arithmetic should be required for HS graduation though.

very bad idea.

I grew up in CA, went to (not great) public school in LAUSD.

Algebra should be the absolute minimum. Algebraic equations are used in every day life. I remember a cashier not being able to calculate the cost of something that was based on the price per some unit of measurement. It was a simple algebraic problem, and the cashier really struggled. Or, in another situation when the cashier couldn't figure out how to count the change without a calculator.

I am so glad we left CA public schools.

Geometry should be the absolute minimum. I think sequences vary, but isn't Geometry taught between the two Algebras?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just curious: Do VA, MD and DC public schools require Algebra II as the minimum for HS graduation? If that’s the case, it’s too much. California requires Algebra I as the minimum for HS graduation, but that requirement is under review by the state education officials. That requirement was imposed decades ago and reflects institutional racism. They are thinking about getting rid of that requirement. In some respects they have a point: why require algebra I when your career goal is to be a hair stylist? Arithmetic should be required for HS graduation though.

very bad idea.

I grew up in CA, went to (not great) public school in LAUSD.

Algebra should be the absolute minimum. Algebraic equations are used in every day life. I remember a cashier not being able to calculate the cost of something that was based on the price per some unit of measurement. It was a simple algebraic problem, and the cashier really struggled. Or, in another situation when the cashier couldn't figure out how to count the change without a calculator.

I am so glad we left CA public schools.

Geometry should be the absolute minimum. I think sequences vary, but isn't Geometry taught between the two Algebras?

I'm also from CA and I remember I was a freshman in Algebra I and there were seniors in the class with me. Some people can't even pass Algebra I.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just curious: Do VA, MD and DC public schools require Algebra II as the minimum for HS graduation? If that’s the case, it’s too much. California requires Algebra I as the minimum for HS graduation, but that requirement is under review by the state education officials. That requirement was imposed decades ago and reflects institutional racism. They are thinking about getting rid of that requirement. In some respects they have a point: why require algebra I when your career goal is to be a hair stylist? Arithmetic should be required for HS graduation though.

MD requires Algebra 1, Geometry, and a math course every year to fill out the 4 years.

Instead of asking why a diploma requires passing (not mastering) Algebra 1, consider asking why a hair stylist needs a high school degree. World History? English literature? Physics?

Good point! Why should there be compulsory education for 13 years?! You are absolutely right—why should a hair stylist be required to have a high school diploma?

Because we need a general level of education in our society. And that hairstylist might change their mind and want to go to college in a few years, and it would be prudent if they have basic education to do so.

However, I'm not opposed to having cosmetology programs alongside Vocational programs in HS as well. If someone wants the trades (and I consider cosmetology in this), then perhaps they don't need FL. Might be better for them to have more "business"courses and ability to train for 1-2 hours in their field already in HS and get credit for that. So instead of Art/Band/Orch for the 2 years of "art" they can take a cosmotology course for 2 years along with a basic business course (not for a kid heading to college but for someone who might want to own their own small business in 10 years style). Fact is college is not for everyone. A kid who is barely getting a 2.5 GPA and struggling in HS would be much happier in courses they like vs Art class or French class and this would likely make them a better person vs forcing them to be miserable learning advanced math that does not apply to them---put together financial literacy, business math, basic accounting/finance/econ for small businesses---much more practical.

We already do. It's available at three schools in FCPS https://www.fcps.edu/academics/high/career-and-technical-education/academies-and-specialized-programs Most UMC families probably don't know it exits because they would never consider it for their kids.

where I live we do not have that. And I think we should. Glad to see some places do have it

MCPS also has vocational programs

https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/edison/programs

One of the few things I like about MoCo is the different programs that they have.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2023/05/19/college-majors-computer-science-humanities/

That’s expected. But in the future, if there are too many CS graduates and too few English and history graduates, the supply and demand relationship might change.

Why would it change? Why would English and history majors be in demand unless it's for teaching English or history?

Huge demand for them in brand and marketing departments in Fortune 500 companies. I'm serious.

The ability to write well and tell stories is highly coveted.

Fortunate 500 companies should really reconsider hiring woke female English majors (a highly redundant formulation, I know) who "tell stories" that actively alienate their customers (see: Bud Lite, Target).

Oh by all means, let’s reduce advertising and customer service to an algorithm. CS all the way?

There are people with degrees in marketing and communications. Why is there an assumption that a degree that prepares you for nothing is the best preparation for any career?

Now a days marketing involves using social media, created by the CS industry. Print ads are going by the wayside.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just curious: Do VA, MD and DC public schools require Algebra II as the minimum for HS graduation? If that’s the case, it’s too much. California requires Algebra I as the minimum for HS graduation, but that requirement is under review by the state education officials. That requirement was imposed decades ago and reflects institutional racism. They are thinking about getting rid of that requirement. In some respects they have a point: why require algebra I when your career goal is to be a hair stylist? Arithmetic should be required for HS graduation though.

MD requires Algebra 1, Geometry, and a math course every year to fill out the 4 years.

Instead of asking why a diploma requires passing (not mastering) Algebra 1, consider asking why a hair stylist needs a high school degree. World History? English literature? Physics?

Good point! Why should there be compulsory education for 13 years?! You are absolutely right—why should a hair stylist be required to have a high school diploma?

Because we need a general level of education in our society. And that hairstylist might change their mind and want to go to college in a few years, and it would be prudent if they have basic education to do so.

However, I'm not opposed to having cosmetology programs alongside Vocational programs in HS as well. If someone wants the trades (and I consider cosmetology in this), then perhaps they don't need FL. Might be better for them to have more "business"courses and ability to train for 1-2 hours in their field already in HS and get credit for that. So instead of Art/Band/Orch for the 2 years of "art" they can take a cosmotology course for 2 years along with a basic business course (not for a kid heading to college but for someone who might want to own their own small business in 10 years style). Fact is college is not for everyone. A kid who is barely getting a 2.5 GPA and struggling in HS would be much happier in courses they like vs Art class or French class and this would likely make them a better person vs forcing them to be miserable learning advanced math that does not apply to them---put together financial literacy, business math, basic accounting/finance/econ for small businesses---much more practical.

Agree with you 100%!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2023/05/19/college-majors-computer-science-humanities/

That’s expected. But in the future, if there are too many CS graduates and too few English and history graduates, the supply and demand relationship might change.

Why would it change? Why would English and history majors be in demand unless it's for teaching English or history?

Huge demand for them in brand and marketing departments in Fortune 500 companies. I'm serious.

The ability to write well and tell stories is highly coveted.

News for you: Many corporate marketing departments are already using Chat to write marketing materials for them. As AI gets better, more and more writing work will be done by AI.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just curious: Do VA, MD and DC public schools require Algebra II as the minimum for HS graduation? If that’s the case, it’s too much. California requires Algebra I as the minimum for HS graduation, but that requirement is under review by the state education officials. That requirement was imposed decades ago and reflects institutional racism. They are thinking about getting rid of that requirement. In some respects they have a point: why require algebra I when your career goal is to be a hair stylist? Arithmetic should be required for HS graduation though.

very bad idea.

I grew up in CA, went to (not great) public school in LAUSD.

Algebra should be the absolute minimum. Algebraic equations are used in every day life. I remember a cashier not being able to calculate the cost of something that was based on the price per some unit of measurement. It was a simple algebraic problem, and the cashier really struggled. Or, in another situation when the cashier couldn't figure out how to count the change without a calculator.

I am so glad we left CA public schools.

I went to public schools in Southern CA as well. Torrance USD in the 1980’s to be exact. At the time, the math sequence in HS was Algebra I -> Geometry -> Algebra II -> Trigonometry (semester) -> Precalculus (semester) -> AP Calculus. At the time there was no distinction between AP Calculus AB and BC. For a HS kid who wants to start AP Calculus in the senior year, he/she would take 2 math courses, Geometry and Algebra II, usually in the sophomore year, simultaneously.

I remember that when I took Algebra I in 9th grade, some classmates were upperclassmen. I don’t recall any seniors taking Algebra I though.

The reasons CA education officials are considering eliminating the Algebra I requirement for HS—some of those are practical, but some are philosophical and policy-based. They consider math as an inherently racist subject. It’s about systemic racism and the need for racial equity. There’s some gender equity issue too as some stats show that girls are not as good at math as boys.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just curious: Do VA, MD and DC public schools require Algebra II as the minimum for HS graduation? If that’s the case, it’s too much. California requires Algebra I as the minimum for HS graduation, but that requirement is under review by the state education officials. That requirement was imposed decades ago and reflects institutional racism. They are thinking about getting rid of that requirement. In some respects they have a point: why require algebra I when your career goal is to be a hair stylist? Arithmetic should be required for HS graduation though.

very bad idea.

I grew up in CA, went to (not great) public school in LAUSD.

Algebra should be the absolute minimum. Algebraic equations are used in every day life. I remember a cashier not being able to calculate the cost of something that was based on the price per some unit of measurement. It was a simple algebraic problem, and the cashier really struggled. Or, in another situation when the cashier couldn't figure out how to count the change without a calculator.

I am so glad we left CA public schools.

Geometry should be the absolute minimum. I think sequences vary, but isn't Geometry taught between the two Algebras?

In CA (at least back in the 80’s), yes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just curious: Do VA, MD and DC public schools require Algebra II as the minimum for HS graduation? If that’s the case, it’s too much. California requires Algebra I as the minimum for HS graduation, but that requirement is under review by the state education officials. That requirement was imposed decades ago and reflects institutional racism. They are thinking about getting rid of that requirement. In some respects they have a point: why require algebra I when your career goal is to be a hair stylist? Arithmetic should be required for HS graduation though.

very bad idea.

I grew up in CA, went to (not great) public school in LAUSD.

Algebra should be the absolute minimum. Algebraic equations are used in every day life. I remember a cashier not being able to calculate the cost of something that was based on the price per some unit of measurement. It was a simple algebraic problem, and the cashier really struggled. Or, in another situation when the cashier couldn't figure out how to count the change without a calculator.

I am so glad we left CA public schools.

I went to public schools in Southern CA as well. Torrance USD in the 1980’s to be exact. At the time, the math sequence in HS was Algebra I -> Geometry -> Algebra II -> Trigonometry (semester) -> Precalculus (semester) -> AP Calculus. At the time there was no distinction between AP Calculus AB and BC. For a HS kid who wants to start AP Calculus in the senior year, he/she would take 2 math courses, Geometry and Algebra II, usually in the sophomore year, simultaneously.

I remember that when I took Algebra I in 9th grade, some classmates were upperclassmen. I don’t recall any seniors taking Algebra I though.

The reasons CA education officials are considering eliminating the Algebra I requirement for HS—some of those are practical, but some are philosophical and policy-based. They consider math as an inherently racist subject. It’s about systemic racism and the need for racial equity. There’s some gender equity issue too as some stats show that girls are not as good at math as boys.

I went to HS in the 80s very near Torrance and knew people who went to HSs in Torrance. That was the normal path for us, too. Have friends now in West Torrance HS.

CA has gone nuts. Math is math. Black people don't use math? FFS. What a way to make black/brown kids even more behind their peers in academics.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2023/05/19/college-majors-computer-science-humanities/

That’s expected. But in the future, if there are too many CS graduates and too few English and history graduates, the supply and demand relationship might change.

Why would it change? Why would English and history majors be in demand unless it's for teaching English or history?

Huge demand for them in brand and marketing departments in Fortune 500 companies. I'm serious.

The ability to write well and tell stories is highly coveted.

Fortunate 500 companies should really reconsider hiring woke female English majors (a highly redundant formulation, I know) who "tell stories" that actively alienate their customers (see: Bud Lite, Target).

Oh by all means, let’s reduce advertising and customer service to an algorithm. CS all the way?

There are people with degrees in marketing and communications. Why is there an assumption that a degree that prepares you for nothing is the best preparation for any career?

Now a days marketing involves using social media, created by the CS industry. Print ads are going by the wayside.

code monkeys aren't writing content

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just curious: Do VA, MD and DC public schools require Algebra II as the minimum for HS graduation? If that’s the case, it’s too much. California requires Algebra I as the minimum for HS graduation, but that requirement is under review by the state education officials. That requirement was imposed decades ago and reflects institutional racism. They are thinking about getting rid of that requirement. In some respects they have a point: why require algebra I when your career goal is to be a hair stylist? Arithmetic should be required for HS graduation though.

very bad idea.

I grew up in CA, went to (not great) public school in LAUSD.

Algebra should be the absolute minimum. Algebraic equations are used in every day life. I remember a cashier not being able to calculate the cost of something that was based on the price per some unit of measurement. It was a simple algebraic problem, and the cashier really struggled. Or, in another situation when the cashier couldn't figure out how to count the change without a calculator.

I am so glad we left CA public schools.

I went to public schools in Southern CA as well. Torrance USD in the 1980’s to be exact. At the time, the math sequence in HS was Algebra I -> Geometry -> Algebra II -> Trigonometry (semester) -> Precalculus (semester) -> AP Calculus. At the time there was no distinction between AP Calculus AB and BC. For a HS kid who wants to start AP Calculus in the senior year, he/she would take 2 math courses, Geometry and Algebra II, usually in the sophomore year, simultaneously.

I remember that when I took Algebra I in 9th grade, some classmates were upperclassmen. I don’t recall any seniors taking Algebra I though.

The reasons CA education officials are considering eliminating the Algebra I requirement for HS—some of those are practical, but some are philosophical and policy-based. They consider math as an inherently racist subject. It’s about systemic racism and the need for racial equity. There’s some gender equity issue too as some stats show that girls are not as good at math as boys.

I went to HS in the 80s very near Torrance and knew people who went to HSs in Torrance. That was the normal path for us, too. Have friends now in West Torrance HS.

CA has gone nuts. Math is math. Black people don't use math? FFS. What a way to make black/brown kids even more behind their peers in academics.

Totally agree with you! CA was a great place in the 80’s. It has gone off the cliff.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just curious: Do VA, MD and DC public schools require Algebra II as the minimum for HS graduation? If that’s the case, it’s too much. California requires Algebra I as the minimum for HS graduation, but that requirement is under review by the state education officials. That requirement was imposed decades ago and reflects institutional racism. They are thinking about getting rid of that requirement. In some respects they have a point: why require algebra I when your career goal is to be a hair stylist? Arithmetic should be required for HS graduation though.

very bad idea.

I grew up in CA, went to (not great) public school in LAUSD.

Algebra should be the absolute minimum. Algebraic equations are used in every day life. I remember a cashier not being able to calculate the cost of something that was based on the price per some unit of measurement. It was a simple algebraic problem, and the cashier really struggled. Or, in another situation when the cashier couldn't figure out how to count the change without a calculator.

I am so glad we left CA public schools.

I went to public schools in Southern CA as well. Torrance USD in the 1980’s to be exact. At the time, the math sequence in HS was Algebra I -> Geometry -> Algebra II -> Trigonometry (semester) -> Precalculus (semester) -> AP Calculus. At the time there was no distinction between AP Calculus AB and BC. For a HS kid who wants to start AP Calculus in the senior year, he/she would take 2 math courses, Geometry and Algebra II, usually in the sophomore year, simultaneously.

I remember that when I took Algebra I in 9th grade, some classmates were upperclassmen. I don’t recall any seniors taking Algebra I though.

The reasons CA education officials are considering eliminating the Algebra I requirement for HS—some of those are practical, but some are philosophical and policy-based. They consider math as an inherently racist subject. It’s about systemic racism and the need for racial equity. There’s some gender equity issue too as some stats show that girls are not as good at math as boys.

I went to HS in the 80s very near Torrance and knew people who went to HSs in Torrance. That was the normal path for us, too. Have friends now in West Torrance HS.

CA has gone nuts. Math is math. Black people don't use math? FFS. What a way to make black/brown kids even more behind their peers in academics.

Totally agree with you! CA was a great place in the 80’s. It has gone off the cliff.

PP here.. I saw the writing on the wall a decade ago, and the state of public education in CA was one of the reasons we left there. COL was the other, but I definitely did not want to pay $1mil+ for a small house and for public school education in CA.

Very sad to see the way CA public schools are headed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2023/05/19/college-majors-computer-science-humanities/

That’s expected. But in the future, if there are too many CS graduates and too few English and history graduates, the supply and demand relationship might change.

Why would it change? Why would English and history majors be in demand unless it's for teaching English or history?

Huge demand for them in brand and marketing departments in Fortune 500 companies. I'm serious.

The ability to write well and tell stories is highly coveted.

Fortunate 500 companies should really reconsider hiring woke female English majors (a highly redundant formulation, I know) who "tell stories" that actively alienate their customers (see: Bud Lite, Target).

Oh by all means, let’s reduce advertising and customer service to an algorithm. CS all the way?

There are people with degrees in marketing and communications. Why is there an assumption that a degree that prepares you for nothing is the best preparation for any career?

Now a days marketing involves using social media, created by the CS industry. Print ads are going by the wayside.

code monkeys aren't writing content

AI can write content.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2023/05/19/college-majors-computer-science-humanities/

That’s expected. But in the future, if there are too many CS graduates and too few English and history graduates, the supply and demand relationship might change.

Why would it change? Why would English and history majors be in demand unless it's for teaching English or history?

Huge demand for them in brand and marketing departments in Fortune 500 companies. I'm serious.

The ability to write well and tell stories is highly coveted.

Fortunate 500 companies should really reconsider hiring woke female English majors (a highly redundant formulation, I know) who "tell stories" that actively alienate their customers (see: Bud Lite, Target).

Oh by all means, let’s reduce advertising and customer service to an algorithm. CS all the way?

There are people with degrees in marketing and communications. Why is there an assumption that a degree that prepares you for nothing is the best preparation for any career?

Now a days marketing involves using social media, created by the CS industry. Print ads are going by the wayside.

code monkeys aren't writing content

AI can write content.

Yes! AI is already replacing marketing and advertising people at many large companies. And replacing journalists too. As bad as it is, you ain’t seen nothing yet (just to prove that I’m not a bot—not writing grammatically at all—hahaha!) In any event, AI is advancing by leaps and bounds. Pretty soon AI will make today’s ChatGPT (whatever today’s latest version is) look like cash registers of the 1970’s.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just curious: Do VA, MD and DC public schools require Algebra II as the minimum for HS graduation? If that’s the case, it’s too much. California requires Algebra I as the minimum for HS graduation, but that requirement is under review by the state education officials. That requirement was imposed decades ago and reflects institutional racism. They are thinking about getting rid of that requirement. In some respects they have a point: why require algebra I when your career goal is to be a hair stylist? Arithmetic should be required for HS graduation though.

very bad idea.

I grew up in CA, went to (not great) public school in LAUSD.

Algebra should be the absolute minimum. Algebraic equations are used in every day life. I remember a cashier not being able to calculate the cost of something that was based on the price per some unit of measurement. It was a simple algebraic problem, and the cashier really struggled. Or, in another situation when the cashier couldn't figure out how to count the change without a calculator.

I am so glad we left CA public schools.

I went to public schools in Southern CA as well. Torrance USD in the 1980’s to be exact. At the time, the math sequence in HS was Algebra I -> Geometry -> Algebra II -> Trigonometry (semester) -> Precalculus (semester) -> AP Calculus. At the time there was no distinction between AP Calculus AB and BC. For a HS kid who wants to start AP Calculus in the senior year, he/she would take 2 math courses, Geometry and Algebra II, usually in the sophomore year, simultaneously.

I remember that when I took Algebra I in 9th grade, some classmates were upperclassmen. I don’t recall any seniors taking Algebra I though.

The reasons CA education officials are considering eliminating the Algebra I requirement for HS—some of those are practical, but some are philosophical and policy-based. They consider math as an inherently racist subject. It’s about systemic racism and the need for racial equity. There’s some gender equity issue too as some stats show that girls are not as good at math as boys.

I went to HS in the 80s very near Torrance and knew people who went to HSs in Torrance. That was the normal path for us, too. Have friends now in West Torrance HS.

CA has gone nuts. Math is math. Black people don't use math? FFS. What a way to make black/brown kids even more behind their peers in academics.

North High School Torrance CA ‘86. I know it’s a cliche, but what a small world!

Back then North HS was pretty diverse. A lot of Nisei Japanese-Americans and some Hispanics in addition to whites. Typical middle class community supported in large part by LA’s defense industry during the Reagan era. Academically I would say it was above public school average but not great. Definitely not as good as West High. Some of my classmates didn’t CHOOSE to attend college. In my AP CS class there was a Hispanic boy who also attended SCROC (Southern California Regional Occupation Center) which allowed high school students to attend shop and trade classes. Probably my generation was the last one which still had the capability to make a middle class living without attending college. A Japanese-American classmate became an LA County Sheriff’s Deputy. And even those who chose to attend college—UC’s tuition for in-state students was around $1200-1500 per year. You didn’t read it wrong. I did NOT miss a zero! Even with inflation over the past 30+ years, that tuition still would be a big steal today!