Alicerces da educação: a importância da Matemática Básica no Ensino Médio

Abstract

The strong presence of mathematics in the school curriculum highlights its essentiality in all professional fields and in a variety of everyday situations. However, it is common to observe a lack of enthusiasm on the part of students regarding this subject, and it is common to consider it the most challenging and even feared due to the abstract nature of its concepts. The present study aims to analyze the impact of basic mathematics in high school, focusing on 1st and 3rd grade classes. The research, conducted using qualitative methodology and case study, seeks to evaluate the mathematical knowledge of students upon leaving primary and secondary school in relation to fundamental knowledge. The results reveal a significant deficit in this knowledge, highlighting a result that is more aggravating than expected. The survey indicates that students face difficulties even in basic operations, showing the urgent need for intervention in teaching. A lack of mastery of these fundamental concepts can compromise students’ professional careers. Given this scenario, there is a need to promote leveling with a differentiated pedagogical strategy that allows students to recover/replace their learning through complementary classes. This approach, if implemented, could be a crucial tool to combat academic failure and promote progress in individuals' academic and professional lives. In summary, the study highlights the critical importance of basic mathematics in high school and highlights the urgency of corrective actions to fill the identified educational gaps.