[Ankit S.]

One thing that I don't think was brought up earlier is what happens if Algebra is no longer made mandatory in school. Many of my peers are lazy and would cut corners in any way possible. If given the option to take a moderate-workload Algebra class or to take the relatively homework free class Art 1, many would choose Art 1.

As a result, they would not even try to take Algebra. And who knows? Maybe some of them really will not benefit from Algebra and skipping it was a great choice, but for others who do no know what they want to study later on, the skipped Algebra course also narrows their options further along the road(either not do something related to math, or confront Algebra years later).

In summary: many people are lazy, if given the option to skip Algebra for an easier course they probably will. This skipping will narrow their study options later on.