Students across the country struggled with advanced algebra on a first-of-its-kind test in that subject, according to a report to be released this week by Achieve, the nonprofit Washington ...

Nothing about Algebra II is easy. Educators applauded lawmakers in June for dumping Algebra II as an end-of-course exam after less than half of students passed the test over its three-year existence.

I got an A in algebra II, I think. That was long ago. I do know that I have long since forgotten whatever I learned in that course and have never used it since. That has become a national problem.

I have more than 40 years of experience as a professor of electrical engineering and a research-and-development scientist in an industrial field, where I utilized mathematics from concept to product.