The California Dept. of Education (CDE) is considering a radical redesign of K-12 math education, both in terms of curricula but also in terms of methods of instruction. 2/
Though intended to benefit underrepresented minority (URM) kids, many of us believe the new system would harm those children; it would also harm non-URMs who stay, and we believe many would leave, for private schools, tutoring academies etc. 3/
In terms of curriculum, the proposal would eliminate 8th grade algebra courses. HS calculus courses would be discouraged. 4/
It would also add a data science course for 11th grade, which sounds like a good idea but which IMO would be a disaster, as very few HS teachers would be qualified to offer it. 5/
My biggest concern, though, is the proposal's methods of instruction. Teachers would de-emphasize getting the right answer, and would not require students to show their work. Emphasize would be placed on collaborative group work, rather than individual efforts. 6/
In order to provide motivation for URMs, math problems would be "applied," meaning in an ideological sense, say "Mr. Salazar just lost his job, on which he had been paid $X..." I am all for motivation but I believe there would be less emphasis on math itself, harming the kids. 7/
Ever since high school, a passion for me has been helping improve life for URMs tinyurl.com/y7ouh7o6. WE SHOULD NOT BE EXPERIMENTING WITH THESE KIDS' LIVES. There are better ways, proven successes: Hire super teachers, at top dollar; work closely with the parents; etc. 8/
Even China, one of the most ideological countries in the world, does not insert ideology into math classes. That should tell us something. 9/
I urge CA STEM professors to sign a letter that will be delivered to Gov. Newsom, tinyurl.com/zdv3ww regardless of where you are on the political spectrum. Only an organized effort can have an impact. 10/10
See equitablemath.org and tinyurl.com/3j77zcb2 (cited by CDE's original draft) for the ideological basis for much of the proposal.
Also, the CDE proposal, and its already-implemented form in SF, are viewed by some as fueled by anti-Asian sentiment (alluded to in one of the replies to my thread here). I explain this in part of tinyurl.com/3j77zcb2
Sorry, wrong URL. The correct one is tinyurl.com/29bjskpn
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
