Pick your own debate!

1. I have never taken Algebra II. I studied Pre-Algebra before High school, Geometry and Trigonometry in year 1, basic Algebraic portions of Precalculus in year 2, and Trigonometric and graphing portions of Precalculus, along with limits in year 3. I have looked at the topics of Algebra II and compared to what I learned in Precalculus, and Algebra II seems rather simple in comparison. However, my opponent, finds Precalculus rather simple in comparison. The explanation for the paradox is simple: His Algebra II class is advanced, and my Precalculus class is advanced. I did take that class in the best public high school on the east coast. Since we are both unable to come to an agreement on what constitutes Precalculus and what constitutes Algebra II, I will simply go with what we have both agreed on: That Precalculus is the equivalent of Algebra II with Geometry and some extra topics. As such, I stick by my resolution. Precalculus should be a compulsory class as it is absolutely necessary. I don't think my opponent disagrees that the topics covered by Precalculus or Algebra II are useless. However, Algebra II as a class, whatever it may be, is not. I am a perfect example of this. I have never taken Algebra II and yet, I learned all the material of Algebra II simply by taking Precalculus. Algebra II should be removed from the curriculum and Precalculus should be taught in its place and be made compulsory. 2. I disagree with many of my opponent's statements. First of all, all Public High Schools should have a curriculum devoted to sending their students to higher education. If that means adding more required classes that will help them later on, then so be it. By my opponent's logic, no classes should be compulsory, since there will always be a significant subset of the student population that will enter into specific fields in which a class is not required. Second, students of high school age should not choose all their classes because they would be far too inexperienced to know what they will develop an interest in, and classes which would benefit the majority of students should be made compulsory. Precalc should be given in 10th grade, before they have a clear view on what they want to do. Third, I began taking Precalculus in 10th grade and I never took Algebra II. Why does my opponent think Precalculus is taught in 12th grade? Maybe his school is just weird. Fourth, a huge portion of the student body for any institution enters college undeclared. Can my opponent provide the statistics showing that a 14 year old has his entire career plan in mind and sticks to it for 7 years straight? I severely doubt it. 3. I have never made that statement. I stated that one person cannot "do" Precalculus with only knowledge of Algebra II. Precalculus, by my opponent's definition, includes more things than Algebra II does. Therefore, Precalculus should replace Algebra II. Summary counterpoints: 1. Yes, and we should replace Algebra II with Precalculus entirely, since PRecalculus covers more topics than Algebra II. 2. My mistake, I meant to say that my opponent should provide proof that it is use-LESS. If Precalculus covers more material than Algebra II, why not just replace Algebra II with Precalculus? I say it is better for the student. My opponent must show that the topics taught in Precalculus are useless if he wishes to make it non-compulsory. 3A. Precalculus should be taught earlier than 12th grade, as it is in my school, and it should be made compulsory since at that age, students would be too young to know what they want to do for the rest of their lives. Will you really take an adolescent seriously if he says he wants to be a trucker or a juggler? No, you foster all his talents to see where he will bloom. 3B. It's too bad that the topics in Precalculus are a prerequisite for so many things, including entrance examinations, college applications, etc. It is better to have kids prepared. 3C. No 12th graders. Precalc should be taught years before that. And many freshmen enter college undecided and major in their sophomore years after taking entry level classes. I base this on the massive amount of experience I have being a college student myself. 3D. At the age of 14 or 15, I doubt a student could seriously make such a decision. The majority would probably choose to take the easy way out. 3E. Precalculus represents the basics, especially in an ever growing technological age. We should not take steps backwards in education. Conclusion: My opponent has admitted that Precalculus is essentially Algebra II with extra topics. I argue that we should teach those extra topics. Precalculus should replace Algebra II and since Algebra II is compulsory, so should Precalculus be. I have shown why this compulsion is necessary to benefit the majority of students, I hope the audience agrees.