[Evans, Marv]

Back a long time ago (1980's) when I was teaching high school level math, the District said students no longer had to really learn math operations by hand and could use a calculator to do work and tests. I flat said my students doing the more basic courses wouldn't use a calculator until they had demonstrated competency by bring able to do it "by head and by hand." Even after they were allowed to use a calculator for everyday work, they still couldn't use one on tests. I had no problem with those in higher level math using a calculator. They thought I was a dinosaur and said I "marched to a different tune", but the students that came out of my basic level math course(s) did better as they went on to higher levels, and other teachers always told me they were happy to get my students in their classes. I think those who make decisions like that on the administrative level are also math dummies. In fact later when I was on a level to work with other administrators, my suspicions were reinforced. We also have to realize not everybody is good at math - even basic, just like not everyone is good at art, writing, sports, etc. The bell curve applies to almost everything, but sometimes stupid policies can bias results toward the lower end of the scale.