Algebra

Teaching is apparently not just a low paying job, but a low skill job.

A Sacramento Superior Court judge Friday blocked a controversial state plan requiring that all California eighth-graders be tested in algebra.

Uh, why?

...approximately one-third of the state's middle-school Algebra I teachers are either underprepared or teach out-of-field...

So, your college educated math teachers aren't conversant with algebra? Guys, this is a field that's not exactly trembling with new discoveries.

Meeting the mandate would require the state to hire 3,000 more qualified teachers and offer substantial additional training to 1,000 underprepared math instructors.

O'Connell's staff has estimated that the requirement would cost $3.1 billion at a time when the state is slashing even larger amounts from its budget as a result of the economy.

Well, not really, because you'll save a similar amount when you fire the unqualified teachers. And math teachers not prepared to go beyond multiplication tables aren't really math teachers, are they? More like baby sitters. But then I forget, NEA membership is a lifetime meal ticket.