IBM, Exxon Criticize Texas For Backing Away From Math Standards.

Bloomberg News (12/23) reports that Texas in 2006 “became the first state to require advanced algebra for high-school students,” noting that the policy resulted in “higher average test scores” and less need for remediation in college. The piece notes that other states followed suit, but that Texas now is “rolling back the requirement for Algebra II under pressure from lawmakers, some educators and business trade associations.” However, “a coalition of corporate interests including IBM Corp. (IBM), Exxon Mobil Corp. (XOM) and the Texas Association of Business” oppose the move.