Today the Senate Education Policy Committee heard Senate File 360, a bill by Sen. Robert Farnsworth (R-Hibbing) that eliminates the requirement for every student to complete algebra II and adds a personal finance course as a qualifying math credit for graduation.
“Far too many students have struggled with algebra II under the assumption they will need these skills for the real world, and we just know that isn’t true. Only 11 percent of jobs today use math skills that we teach in algebra II.” Sen. Farnsworth said. “We want our students to succeed and be engaged with every class they take, and my bill will not only keep kids learning, but will better prepare them for their future success in whatever career they choose.”
This bill was inspired by an idea from two Hibbing teachers who wanted to use industrial arts as a math option and prepare more students for careers in trades and skilled jobs. Due to the Algebra II requirement by the state, they were told the class wouldn’t be an option to meet Minnesota’s math standards.
Some testifiers suggested the change would lower the bar for students to graduate, but currently less than half of Minnesota students are proficient in math. Only about a dozen states currently require algebra II.
In response to criticism, Farnsworth told the committee, “There are some things that we learn, like civics, because it makes us a better citizen. There are some things that we learn, like math, that makes us a better employee or student, that’s an apples-to-oranges argument.”
“At some point, through the graduation standards, the goal of high school became to prepare every single kid to go a four-year college and university. But my opinion is that school should be to prepare kids for their life, and to make them a better citizen,” Farnsworth concluded.
The bill was laid over for possible inclusion in an omnibus bill that could be presented in late March or early April. It would take effect for the 2025-2026 school year if passed.