NEW MATH ADDS UP TO SAME OLD PROBLEMS.(MAIN)

Byline: RICK KARLIN Staff writer

Twenty six days into the school year at Albany High, George Benson's ninth-grade math students are on the verge of mutiny.

One student, sitting near the window, keeps popping out of his seat, heading for the exit. Each time, Benson stares at him, and he sits. Others are chattering so fast and loud that Benson practically shouts them down to get back on track.

Today's exercise wasn't supposed to end up like this. The class has taken a vote on what to serve at a hypothetical buffet: pizza, hamburger, chef salad or burritos. By comparing the various runner-up combinations, students are supposed to learn how to calculate percentages and proportions.

``Why are we still doing this?'' blurts out one of the students. ``This is supposed to be a program to help us with the Regents,'' she says. ``Where is the work?''

Benson knows he's got plenty of work ahead of him this school year. The teacher is on the front line of New York's plan to have all high school students take college-preparatory Regents …