[Tooluka]

Yes it is.

You can easily swap solving math problems for writing essays in that article and get the same conclusion. Also the whole article completely lacks any statistic basis. 42% of students didn't pass their bachelor exams and 57% students of one university (not saying which faculties were included in statistics) didn't pass algebra course (one math course only is mentioned). So what? How is that connected? What are the long term trends? What about other courses and other universities? Same applies for all the article - throw together random numbers that SEEM to be related (they may be, of course).

Very shallow and probably incorrect article.

[nextstep]

I agree with what you are saying, and I think algebra is an incredibly important skill. However, the article touches on an underlying issue that I think is true: the US education system does not prepare people for certain jobs that are in high demand. Many jobs that could be learned at a vocational or "trade" school don't require much high school math.

[gersh]

You need Algebra even for "trade" school. According to http://www.njatc.org/training/apprenticeship/index.aspx, you need "One Year of High School Algebra" to become an electrician. I think the same is true for other trades.