by Sandra De Anda

 A data conducted by the Dona Ana Branch Community College showed that a percentage of students enrolled in courses do not complete school, therefore are partially developmental students without a degree.

 Another reason why students do not succeed in developmental math is because some teachers are not prepared to teach elementary math in kindergarten through high school.  The students that are studying to become teachers in developmental classes do not like math, therefore they do not have any interest to learn math and as a result they are not prepared to teach math.

 When the students become teachers they are hired by elementary schools. Some students have no interest in math, and they do not promote math. In addition students do not teach the importance of math to their students.  Teachers do not promote math and students adopt bad habits from their teachers.

 It seems that No Child left behind has not work. Another interesting point of view is when parents do not give a good example at home with the subject. Parents sometimes do not like math and they teach that to their children.  At public schools these bad habits become a problem for teachers and other students.

 A data showed that 50% of students that are studying to become teachers do not pass the 7 th grade label exam.  Some students think that becoming math teachers will help them to get a job easier.

 Math Courses 111 and 112, do not prepared students to become elementary math teachers.  Adding an extra course will prepared students to become Math Teachers.  A data showed that 24% of students are dropping classes, this means that 65% quit school because of Algebra classes.

 Students need to discipline themselves and put some effort to learn math.  A data showed that 35% of Math Teachers do not have a math degree.  Students need to be motivated to learn math.

 Overall, I think that math should be seen as any other subject. Also, Instructors have the responsibility to teach math in a enjoyable way. Math Teachers should make the classes interesting for the students not stressful and boring.

 Professor German Moreno  © 2007 Microsoft Corporation.