Sound Off!: Two High School Mathematics Curricular Paths—Which One to Take?
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High schools are requiring students to complete more years of mathematics in order to graduate (Reys et al. 2007). This requirement raises several questions for schools, teachers, students, and parents. In particular, what mathematics should students study, and how should that mathematics be organized? High school mathematics programs today use two different mathematics course sequences. One sequence focuses each course on a specific subject (algebra, geometry, algebra, or precalculus), while the other integrates mathematical strands throughout each course. Choosing between subject-based and integrated course sequences stimulates discussions about-and often controversy over—which organizational choice is best and for whom.