Courses below calculus need to be refocused to emphasise conceptual understanding and realistic applications via mathematical modelling rather than an overarching focus on developing algebraic skills that may be needed for calculus. Without understanding the concepts, students will not be able to transfer the mathematics to new situations or to use modern technology wisely or effectively. Without a modelling approach, students do not recognise the mathematics when it arises in courses in other fields. And, in an era when any routine operation can be performed at the push of a button, courses that make development of algebraic skills the primary objective are producing nothing more than imperfect organic clones of existing technology. (Contains 1 table and 5 figures.)