And they're really good risk-takers. But weaning them away from being spoon-fed is not easy. But it has its detractors. There are some people who feel that it isn't really math because it isn't what they had when they were growing up. They want more drill and kill.
Most kids buy their own.
For students who can't afford them, the principal has a fund that will pay for half. Once in a while at an open house, a parent will say something about the cost-that it's an outrageous expense. Students will use the same calculator all through high school and on into college.