The VCE is biased

[Mao]

This is NOT a discussion of whether some subjects are more difficult for certain people or not.

Further off-topic will attract a lock.

Anyhow,
There's no need for mandatory mathematics, there's no point putting an arts student through trigonometry if they are never going to use it. On the other hand, people who will need the skills (such as in bachelor of science and other scientific and commerce disciplines) have to complete it as part of prerequisites.

[mystikal]

i wasnt talking about spesh but any mathematics would be ok they shud jsut make it compulsory. (further etc.)

[appianway]

I think that all students should complete at least a basic maths, but I don't think it should be counted in the primary 4.

[samuch]

i dont think an english should be counted in the primary 4

[moshi]

I think that all students should complete at least a basic maths, but I don't think it should be counted in the primary 4.

doesn't that defeat the purpose of the vce system, to mainly have the freedom to pick and choose subjects (excluding english, of course)? year 10 level maths is suffice if you don't plan on using maths in the future, so i don't think students should be forced to choose one if they don't want to.

[cipherpol]

i dont think an english should be counted in the primary 4

Haha, would love that, but it'd be such a big advantage for math/science students.

[appianway]

I think that all students should complete at least a basic maths, but I don't think it should be counted in the primary 4.

doesn't that defeat the purpose of the vce system, to mainly have the freedom to pick and choose subjects (excluding english, of course)? year 10 level maths is suffice if you don't plan on using maths in the future, so i don't think students should be forced to choose one if they don't want to.

Hmm, I don't think that the consumer side of year 10 maths really suffices, but perhaps that's just what we studied (I think we may have skipped a few chapters...). Personally, I think that all individuals have to be able to manage their own finances, and I think that it's important that there's a component of the course that covers the basic skills for this.

Edit- I just realised that we go to the same school, but perhaps your teacher didn't skip the chapters that ours did. Anyway, I'm still not sure if the year 10 course covers enough mathematics for students to be able to act as wise consumers.

[samuch]

i dont think an english should be counted in the primary 4

Haha, would love that, but it'd be such a big advantage for math/science students.

yeah exactly but also whats the point in counting it in the primary 4? they shouldnt... maybe just leave it as compulsory

[xXNovaxX]

i dont think an english should be counted in the primary 4

I sometimes think that as well, BUT, we do live in an ENGLISH country, and already as it is we have so many unskilled, illiterate ADULTS and CHILDREN, it really needs to act as a "punishment", to make people not forget of the importance of English. Why should people who are good at all their other subjects, but can't anaylse a simple article r text, be able to get 99.95? I don't thnk they should, English is a requirement, and a necessity for Australias prosperity in the world.

[kendraaaaa]

Nova's got a point. Imagine the pwning potential of immigrants from stereotypically intelligent countries such as China, Russia, etc. coming here and doing Methods, Spesh, etc. Those subjects would be at a year 8 level for them (wild guess I have no clue, but you get my point). They'd ace those subjects, which require very very very basic english.

[shinny]

Not many people also realise that there's more to the English subjects than merely the skill of writing. They're one of the few subjects that actually require you to think and make up your own ideas and opinions as opposed to simply regurgitating what you've rote learned, or to what concepts you've learnt and apply. It involves a much less 'mechanical' way of thought I'd say. When you compare the ideas of those who get 40+ and those who get below, there's definitely a contrast.

[ryley]

Why should english be a definite top 4 subject, just keep forcing all students to take at least one english subject and as long as uni's still keep english prerequisites, surely that would be enough to prevent any massive decline in the states english standard? This also has the added benefit of doubling my ENTER

[samuch]

Why should english be a definite top 4 subject, just keep forcing all students to take at least one english subject and as long as uni's still keep english prerequisites, surely that would be enough to prevent any massive decline in the states english standard? This also has the added benefit of doubling my ENTER

omg ily
and it would double mine too!

[appianway]

Hmm, communication is essential in any profession, whether that be medicine, scientific academia, retail or a trade. I think that English should still be kept in the primary 4 - high competencies with language translate (in the majority of instances) into greater success.

[samuch]

it should still be compulsory... just not in the top 4