Match Training to the Job Requirements!

When you go to the barber shop or beauty salon, do you care whether your barber or hair stylist can do quadratic equations?  When you hear a prowler in the backyard and call 911 is it important to you that the responding police officers be able to do geometric proofs?  If you were hiring air conditioning repair technicians would you check to see if they could factor trinomials?  Of course not, which underscores the innate common sense of a recent educational study. 

Some of the emphasis on remedial math at the community college level is misplaced, according to a study by the National Center on Education and the Economy (NCEE).  I am in full agreement with the findings and have felt that way for quite some time.  According to a  story in the May 8 Fresno Bee, "researchers found that students were expected to be proficient in higher-level algebra and geometry even though most of the topics from those classes aren't needed to succeed in many of the programs that community colleges offer."

It is important to understand that approximately 50% of what community colleges do is prepare students for job-related certificates.  The article mentions aspiring "auto mechanics and police officers" who may attain high proficiency in the skills of their hoped-for career, but then be prevented from progressing due to deficiencies in mathematics skills such as Algebra II that no mechanic or cop will ever be called upon to use on the job.

The issue is critical, because findings have repeatedly shown that "if students can't complete community college training programs for jobs...or transfer to four-year degrees they'll have a hard time supporting a family above the poverty line."  The range of vocational training available at our community college is extensive.  To get an idea, follow this link to our Industry and Technology Division programs.     

The NCEE found that the deficiencies arise from the abysmal state of math preparedness in lower grades.  "The center recommended that the United States improve high school education first, then raise the bar at community colleges."  While that would certainly seem to make sense, it's still only half the issue.  The other ought to be to stop requiring people to have training in subjects irrelevant to their intended profession in order to become certified for it.