Alberta adds, subtracts math classes

Alberta Education is changing the way it delivers math, eliminating pure math and giving students entering high school more choices.

Instead of having to choose between pure or applied math, new high school students will have three choices.

Grade 10 students will be able to choose between a course meant for those planning to go to college or university, one for those heading to the trades or straight into the work force, and a basic math program that includes skills such as chequebook balancing.

By Grade 11, the students on the post-secondary track will get to choose again between a course meant for students heading into arts-type programs and those planning to take engineering or science-based degrees. Those options continue into Grade 12.

At any point, students can choose to take an easier course.

Levels playing field for university hopefuls

Math will also be taught differently, with students encouraged to find their own solutions to problems, rather than to follow a set formula.

"I wouldn't say it's easier. I think that it goes into more depth. It gives students an opportunity to demonstrate their understanding of their outcomes," said Greg Kuzniuk, an Alberta Education spokesman.

The changes also take into consideration what students in other provinces are learning in math classes prior to going to university, he said.

"It gives our students an advantage. So they are being considered on the same level field as students from another provinces that may be applying at post-secondary institutions across the country. It's to level the playing field so our students are prepared and have the same math requisites."

Many high school students see pure math courses as really difficult subjects.

"Math pure is way too hard," said Erban Baxhaku, a student at Calgary's Ernest Manning High School who is taking applied math instead.

Students like Alexis Moore, also from Ernest Manning, struggle through because to go to university, they usually need to have the course on their transcript.

"Right now I'm doing very well. Actually, it's my second try doing it. I'm doing better this time," she said.

Grade 10 students will be able to choose between the two classes next September and Grade 11 and 12 courses will be added in the two following years.