Sente OKs Algebra II Bill

I am shaking my head and muttering, "Joel, Joel, Joel, you just don't get it."  A Free Press article in Friday's paper reports on a bill headed for Gov. Granholm's signature that would "relax" (my wording), the Algebra II requirement.  According to Rep. Joel Sheltrown, D - West Branch (I am sorry Joel, you are a Democrat and I know your intentions are good, but no one in Lansing or Washington seems to get this.  Worse, no one is listening to those of us that do get it), with parent consent, students who do not have very good math skills and who wouldn't be successful in Algebra II, can opt out of this requirement and take business-oriented math courses such as Statistics and Data Analysis. "Those would be far more relevant to students than Algebra II ever would be."  Said Joel, and it gets better.  "If someone has very good math skills, then they probably should take higher-level math courses.  I'm worried about those kids that don't have those skills."  Like the ones who still can't add and subtract?  Or the ones who don't have their multiplication facts memorized?   Or the ones who can't figure out fractions and decimals?  They would never pass Algebra II, you're right, but hey they'll do swell in Statistics or Data Analysis!  Joel, Joel, Joel, there are lots of students who can't do Algebra II, and they won't be able to do Statistics or Data Analysis either.  There are lots of students who don't need to take Algebra II or Statistics or Data Analysis, because their career plan does not necessitate this type of math (the law and politics come to mind).  When are the people who are legislating what our students learn going to get this?  The size of a school district, the number of students in the high school, the makeup of that student population, all need to be considered when the courses that will be offered are considered, and we need to offer courses, that count towards graduation, that meet the needs of all students.  We do not live in a one size fits all society, we can not offer a one size fits all curriculum, not if we want our students to compete in a global economy!
Rosemary