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I think Poita is on the money here, illustrating that the System is at least attempting to do something about the fact that many in the population simply "do not get" algebra. So it appears that algebraic reasoning is being introduced at a very early stage in children's lives so that their brain hard wiring includes this sort of reasoning and abstraction into their thinking processes and development.
The writer is not suggesting that Maths be removed from the curriculum at all ! Only that algebra for some be substituted for other maths study
He is suggesting that for those whose powers of reasoning have somehow failed to provide them with an understanding behind the basic concept of algebra and hence often fail at Maths overall, that they should be offered some other form of more socially relevant mathematics curriculum alternative to allow their continuing and further inclusion !
He makes the point that many people who fundamentally cannot understand algebra should not be just allowed to fail them of further academic opportunity just because of it and that many university entry requirements will preclude them from many other unrelated disciplines, where algebra is not needed and that this problem should be changed.
So he is not suggesting a dumbing down at all - at least the way I read it - rather he is suggesting that the academics/educational administrators/thinktanks should realise that the existing systems are causing a dumbing down by and that it could be changed.
Pretty obviously we dont live in a world we we need to 95% or even 20% of the population having university level mathematics ability, so not everyone needs algebraic skills.
That is not to say that everyone shouldn't first have a go at it and at least be challenged with it for a while - and I agree that would be a stupid tragedy, but that isnt what was said.
Rally
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