2+2= Fish

During one of our class lectures, a student gave a great presentation on how Algebra 2 classes were going to be cut from the standards of graduating high school in Texas. Now many people have different opinions on this like, it will only hurt our students even more with an already poor educational system in Texas. While others think it will boost graduation numbers among high school students. My take on this is with the first opinion, that it will only hurt our students even more with an already horrible education system. But in one opinionated editorial from the Dallas News, lets us know in a clear and well written article why math is important.

In the authors article she states that we need math in  order to help with our critical thinking and that more jobs are having their employees deal with statistics and probability. She understands that many think that math is useless and knowing the quadratic equation won't be used in their life at any point or time. Instead she counters that argument with how learning the basics and knowing how to solve complex problems is what kids really need to get them father in life.

Even though she doesn't name Texas solely I feel like this article is a great point in defending math classes and should be known why Algebra 2 is important to keep in our school system. Personally being one who doesn't like math at all, the author does make the valid point as to why it is such a vital subject in schools.

1,2,3 STRETCH!

      An article posted on the Texas Observer argues that because of Texas strict Medicaid laws many Texans are left uninsured and helpless to find any assistance. The organization, Cover Texas Coalition started a new campaign called, "Texas Left Me Out" in order to have the voices of uninsured Texans heard to local officials. They're main goal is to have law officials see the many citizens that are uninsured in hope that they will expand Medicaid coverage and eligibility.

       Linda Berman, who is one of the many "left out" Texans, explains that "People without insurance don't get preventative care, you don't die of diabetes. You die of complications." The coalition has posted two studies as the estimates for the death toll due to not expanding Medicaid. A Harvard University study/CUNY estimated between 1,840 to 3,035 deaths. Also a separate study conducted by the University of Texas Medical Branch projected that 9,000 preventable deaths per year.

       So why can't Texas stretch out its Medicaid law to fit under Obamacare and help narrow the coverage gap? Many people will benefit from this and a lot of lives could be saved. I would like to hear an opposing side to this because this article seemed to talk most about why it should happen and not give a point on why it shouldn't happen.