To Promote Equality, California Proposes a Ban on Advanced Math Classes
May 6, 2021
A friend of mine emailed an article the likes of which always prompts me to say “really?”
Please consider the Reason article In the Name of Equity, California Will Discourage Students Who Are Gifted at Math.
Culturally Responsive Framework
I like to verify things myself and you can do so as well by reading the California Department of Education Mathematics Framework.
In its framework, the Department of Education seeks “Culturally responsive mathematics education.”
Introduction Highlights
- Active efforts in mathematics teaching are required in order to counter the cultural forces that have led to and continue to perpetuate current inequities. Mathematics pathways must open mathematics to all students, eliminating option-limiting tracking. [i.e. no advance classes].
- implementation of this framework and the standards, teachers must be mindful of other considerations that are a high priority for California’s education system including the Environmental Principles and Concepts (EP&Cs) which allow students to examine issues of environmental and social justice.
Teaching for Equity Highlights
- The evolution of mathematics in educational settings has resulted in dramatic inequities for students of color, girls, and students from low income homes.
- Teachers are encouraged to align instruction with the outcomes of the California ELD Standards, which state that linguistically and culturally diverse English learners receive instruction that values their home cultures.
Need to Broaden Perceptions of Mathematics
I did not go through all the chapters. Reason uncovered these gems.
- The inequity of mathematics tracking in California can be undone through a coordinated approach in grades 6–12.
- Middle-school students are best served in heterogeneous classes.
- The push to calculus in grade twelve is itself misguided.
- To encourage truly equitable and engaging mathematics classrooms we need to broaden perceptions of mathematics beyond methods and answers so that students come to view mathematics as a connected, multi-dimensional subject that is about sense making and reasoning, to which they can contribute and belong.
Sabotage the Best
Reason concludes, and I agree “If California adopts this framework, which is currently under public review, the state will end up sabotaging its brightest students. The government should let kids opt out of math if it’s not for them. Don’t let the false idea that there’s no such thing as a gifted student herald the end of advanced math entirely.”
Instead, and in the name of “equity”, the proposed framework aims to keep everyone learning at the same dumbed down level for as long as possible.
The intention is clear. The California Board of Education intends to sabotage the best and brightest, hoping to make everyone equal.
The public does not support these polices. Indeed, it is precisely this kind of talk that nearly got Trump reelected.
Biden should speak out against such nonsense, but he won’t. He is beholden to Teachers’ Unions and Boards of Education.
Care to complain? If so the California Department of Education posted these ways.
Phone Number and Address
Phone: 916-319-0598
Instructional Quality Commission
1430 N Street, Room 3207
Sacramento, CA 95814
Fax: 916-319-0172
Social and Mathematical Justice Q&A
Q: Who is the arbiter of environmental, mathematic, and social justice?
A: The California board of Education. They intend to cram it down your
child’s throat and dumb down gifted kids no matter what their parents
believe or how vigorous the objections.
If you wish to protest these absurd policies, phone or write the board of education as posted above.
Better yet, get the hell out of California.
Reprinted with the author’s permission.
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