Critical Reasoning

Math education in this country does a disservice to our children. In the lower grades, it should focus on the basic skills that students will need in higher grades to develop the ability to solve complex problems. Learning basic math skills is like learning the scales and chords that one will later use to master complicated concertos and symphonies. However, math educators in this country seem to have it backward, emphasizing in higher grades the same narrow, skills- based approach that students learned in lower grades rather than the analytical tools they will need to solve complex math problems.

Which of the following, if true, would most seriously weaken the conclusion drawn above?

(A) While music is common in elementary school curriculums, it is rarely taught in high school.
(B) On international tests of math skills, high-school students in this country performed no worse than did their counterparts from countries where problem-solving is emphasized in higher grades.
(C) When presented with a math problem to solve, students in higher grades are more likely to arrive at different answers than students in lowers grades are.
(D) Older students tend to receive higher grades in math than do younger students.
(E) Universities in this country report a steady increase in the percentage of native first-year students who qualify to take advanced mathematics courses such as calculus.

Which of the statements clearly explain the question?

OA E

Option A - INCORRECT.
The statement in this option is a comparison on the effect of subjects thought in elementary schools that becomes less useful in High schools. While music is common in elementary school curriculum's, it is rarely taught in high school because the continuation of the music still dwells on the old pattern thought in elementary schools which makes student loose interest when they get to High schools.

Option B - INCORRECT.
This option has drawn its point from the argument above. Most schools curriculum dwell more on Basic skills in maths needed in elementary school rather than the analytical tools they will need to solve complex math problems in High schools. However, High-school students in this country has performed no worse than did their counterparts from countries where problem-solving is emphasized in higher grades during the International maths skills test.

Option C - INCORRECT.
This option is supporting the criticism that elementary schools are not putting in more effort in teaching logical complex skills needed in solving maths in high school. Therefore, this has lead to the failure of most students in high schools when presented with a math problem to solve. Students in higher grades are more likely to arrive at different answers than students in lowers grades are because, higher grade maths require a more complex problem solving solution unlike the simple skills needed in solving maths in elementary schools.

Option D - INCORRECT.
The skillful older students tend to receive higher grades in math than do younger students if they are still in elementary school unlike when they are in high school.

Option E - CORRECT.
This option has strongly weaken the claim in the discussion. If there is a successful record of good grades then it means the students have been able to recognize the flaws in their maths curriculum during elementary school and has been able to read ahead and provide solution on their own during their high school period. The claims of Universities in this country report of a steady increase in the percentage of native first-year students who qualify to take advanced mathematics courses such as calculus is certainly on a low record.