“Equity math” coming to FCPS?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is a fascinating article from The Atlantic on California’s experiment with “equity math”

https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2023/10/california-math-framework-algebra/675509/

One idea is to banish Algebra from middle school, and only allow it in high school:


At the time, news reports highlighted features of the CMF that struck me as dubious. That draft explicitly promoted the San Francisco Unified School District’s policy of banishing Algebra I from middle school—a policy grounded in the belief that teaching the subject only in high school would give all students the same opportunities for future success. The document also made a broad presumption that tweaking the content and timing of the math curriculum, rather than more effective teaching of the existing one, was the best way to fix achievement gaps among demographic groups. Unfortunately, the sheer size of the sprawling document discouraged serious public scrutiny.

More at link.

Does this sound like a program Dr. Reid would implement here?

Yes, I think this will happen for FCPS shortly since the education elite have finally realized that no amount of effort or money will close the gap from the bottom. The only way to do this is to sabotage those at the top by eliminating opportunities and enrichment.

I went to middle school and high school in a poor Appalachian area in the 90s and algebra was offered in my middle school. If we could do it, with zero enrichment opportunities and most kids growing up in generational poverty, there's no reason any school shouldn't offer it in the name of equity. It's insulting to tell kids they aren't smart enough to even try

Here, taking Algebra in 6th or 7th requires it to be Algebra 1 Honors level. It’s far deeper than it used to be, content wise.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:^I can’t comment for last year, but in previous years, Mosaic has had 6-8 kids per year skip up in math.

THat's often the case with UMC kids whose parents pay for outside enrichment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^I can’t comment for last year, but in previous years, Mosaic has had 6-8 kids per year skip up in math.

THat's often the case with UMC kids whose parents pay for outside enrichment.

I love equity math because it will end that and level the playing field.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^I can’t comment for last year, but in previous years, Mosaic has had 6-8 kids per year skip up in math.

THat's often the case with UMC kids whose parents pay for outside enrichment.

I love equity math because it will end that and level the playing field.

It's also a very local thing, so to the extent that other districts, other states, other countries do not subscribe to the "equal outcomes for all" mantra, our kids will be left in the dust. Not everyone needs to take advanced math, but what a shame to deny it to those for whom it is the right fit. We need kids who are advanced at math and science, so that we don't have to import them!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^I can’t comment for last year, but in previous years, Mosaic has had 6-8 kids per year skip up in math.

THat's often the case with UMC kids whose parents pay for outside enrichment.

I love equity math because it will end that and level the playing field.

It's also a very local thing, so to the extent that other districts, other states, other countries do not subscribe to the "equal outcomes for all" mantra, our kids will be left in the dust. Not everyone needs to take advanced math, but what a shame to deny it to those for whom it is the right fit. We need kids who are advanced at math and science, so that we don't have to import them!

The only way to close the achievement gap is from the top down. They have to deny acceleration to show progress.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^I can’t comment for last year, but in previous years, Mosaic has had 6-8 kids per year skip up in math.

THat's often the case with UMC kids whose parents pay for outside enrichment.

I love equity math because it will end that and level the playing field.

Sad you don't get it. It doesn't mean that all advanced kids will keep on advancing. Take a look at the Madison posts. They take equity to a whole new level. There, IN GENERAL, level the playing field means get rid the top grades and smush everyone in the B-C area. This way, they can say that if you look at their stats, they have less Ds and Fs. Yeah, I guess that's true and I guess it's true that the playing field is level.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^I can’t comment for last year, but in previous years, Mosaic has had 6-8 kids per year skip up in math.

THat's often the case with UMC kids whose parents pay for outside enrichment.

I love equity math because it will end that and level the playing field.

Sad you don't get it. It doesn't mean that all advanced kids will keep on advancing. Take a look at the Madison posts. They take equity to a whole new level. There, IN GENERAL, level the playing field means get rid the top grades and smush everyone in the B-C area. This way, they can say that if you look at their stats, they have less Ds and Fs. Yeah, I guess that's true and I guess it's true that the playing field is level.

IThe only way equity can be achieved is by reducing enrichment and opportunities for the top to ensure that everyone gets the same outcome. It's been shown that No amount of money or effort can improve outcomes from the bottom up so this is the only way they can show progress closing the gap

[Anonymous]

Can't believe that many FCPS parents will tolerate this. Throwing their own kids under the bus for the sake of dumbing down education. Seems unlikely.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can't believe that many FCPS parents will tolerate this. Throwing their own kids under the bus for the sake of dumbing down education. Seems unlikely.

The biggest equity cheerleaders are the people whose kids are above average, but not able to qualify for 6th or 7th grade Algebra. If no one is allowed to take Algebra before 8th, their kids will look better in comparison.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can't believe that many FCPS parents will tolerate this. Throwing their own kids under the bus for the sake of dumbing down education. Seems unlikely.

The biggest equity cheerleaders are the people whose kids are above average, but not able to qualify for 6th or 7th grade Algebra. If no one is allowed to take Algebra before 8th, their kids will look better in comparison.

Exactly! It's those parents who are too cheap to pay for AoPS and RSM but want their kids to get a fair shot who are ruining it for the rest of us.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can't believe that many FCPS parents will tolerate this. Throwing their own kids under the bus for the sake of dumbing down education. Seems unlikely.

The biggest equity cheerleaders are the people whose kids are above average, but not able to qualify for 6th or 7th grade Algebra. If no one is allowed to take Algebra before 8th, their kids will look better in comparison.

Exactly! It's those parents who are too cheap to pay for AoPS and RSM but want their kids to get a fair shot who are ruining it for the rest of us.

A fair shot at what, exactly? How are kids taking Algebra in 7th grade preventing your kid from getting a "fair shot?"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can't believe that many FCPS parents will tolerate this. Throwing their own kids under the bus for the sake of dumbing down education. Seems unlikely.

“Will tolerate this?” Please let us know how our objections help?

[Anonymous]

I wish there was a way to know the age of people who are posting because many of you sound like teenagers with your arguments.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wish there was a way to know the age of people who are posting because many of you sound like teenagers with your arguments.

The pinnacle of maturity is insulting the other posters without adding anything of substance to the discussion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can't believe that many FCPS parents will tolerate this. Throwing their own kids under the bus for the sake of dumbing down education. Seems unlikely.

“Will tolerate this?” Please let us know how our objections help?

Storm Gatehouse waving flags! That's the only way to get what you want.