Over 280 University of California STEM faculty members have signed an open letter calling on the UC Board of Regents to

[Anonymous]

They need to take the problem up with the California public school system. There seems to be a lot of lower income student bashing on here so I want everyone to think about what is likely going on. The students that are being accepted from weaker low income schools are doing great against their peers and are probably near the top of their class. In theory, a student who does well at any public high school should be well prepared for that state’s flagship universities, but that clearly isn’t happening. There seems to be a massive disconnect between public school standards and collegiate standards.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Duh. This is what liberal lunacy focused on "equity" results in. Absolute dumbing down of America. In progressives' minds, if there isn’t a desired racial and diversity outcome in things like math scores, their solution is to get rid of the tests and quality standards, not assist those who can't make it.

Newsflash: physics, engineering, math, and science give zero Fs about equity and race. If you can't do the math, then you don't belong. This is why the US is imploding and China will dominate the future. Complete dumbing down of kids while China has standards.

US is not imploding but the gap between the top students and mid+lower pack of students is widen because of subpar education.

Because in states like California bright students in low income areas don't even get a chance to compete with top students in other states who are tracked and do have the opportunity to take AP and advanced math classes. Instead, these smart kids are twiddling their thumbs and keeping their head down in classes dominated by morons and disruptive students. Such a waste of talent. Progressives clearly don't think at all about bright, motivated students in lower income neighborhoods.

Schools shouldn't define them. If they are bright, they will be fine in the end. Especially we are in the AI generation. Knowledge is obtainable easily. Even better not limited in the US.

You AI cheerleaders are the worst. Like knowledge and smarts are just another commodity. Therefore, we can let schools rot because because every student has access to AI. That's your equity. We should all be dumbasses together. And if we need anything, Silicon Valley can teach us real good with the phone thingy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Duh. This is what liberal lunacy focused on "equity" results in. Absolute dumbing down of America. In progressives' minds, if there isn’t a desired racial and diversity outcome in things like math scores, their solution is to get rid of the tests and quality standards, not assist those who can't make it.

Newsflash: physics, engineering, math, and science give zero Fs about equity and race. If you can't do the math, then you don't belong. This is why the US is imploding and China will dominate the future. Complete dumbing down of kids while China has standards.

US is not imploding but the gap between the top students and mid+lower pack of students is widen because of subpar education.

Because in states like California bright students in low income areas don't even get a chance to compete with top students in other states who are tracked and do have the opportunity to take AP and advanced math classes. Instead, these smart kids are twiddling their thumbs and keeping their head down in classes dominated by morons and disruptive students. Such a waste of talent. Progressives clearly don't think at all about bright, motivated students in lower income neighborhoods.

Schools shouldn't define them. If they are bright, they will be fine in the end. Especially we are in the AI generation. Knowledge is obtainable easily. Even better not limited in the US.

You AI cheerleaders are the worst. Like knowledge and smarts are just another commodity. Therefore, we can let schools rot because because every student has access to AI. That's your equity. We should all be dumbasses together. And if we need anything, Silicon Valley can teach us real good with the phone thingy.

You couldn't make a point, so you made up that the pp was AI. If anything, your long-winded ramblings are AI.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Imagine paying $85,000 a year for this:

The faculty letter says:

“Students entering calculus courses increasingly lack mastery of prerequisite algebraic and trigonometric concepts.”

“Many students who completed high school calculus are unable to perform symbolic manipulations expected for success in university-level calculus.”


“Faculty across departments report a significant deterioration in quantitative preparedness among incoming students.”


“Calculus has become a major barrier to persistence in STEM majors because students are arriving without the mathematical foundations these courses assume.”

How are state exams not catching this? How are students taking calculus but not able to do 2x=8? I know in Texas you only need a 30% to be proficient on the state exams. Is something similar happening in California?

1. That doesn’t necessarily mean 2x=8
2. They grew up using Desmos, which can give them the answer to any equation without knowing how to solve it. Some teachers use it in higher level classes so they never really learned the foundation and only know how to get the answer.
3. Desmos is now on the SATs and ACTs.

I’m a HS math teacher and we are spit in my department. Some of us won’t allow Desmos at all and only give paper tests, some still no calculator, to test their foundational knowledge. Others allow Desmos on everything and say it’s allowed on the SATs so why not. Some students graduate HS and do not know how to solve an equation without it.

Not 100% accurate. My DS took the ACT on paper this year and there is no desmos. Maybe they should all be on paper?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Duh. This is what liberal lunacy focused on "equity" results in. Absolute dumbing down of America. In progressives' minds, if there isn’t a desired racial and diversity outcome in things like math scores, their solution is to get rid of the tests and quality standards, not assist those who can't make it.

Newsflash: physics, engineering, math, and science give zero Fs about equity and race. If you can't do the math, then you don't belong. This is why the US is imploding and China will dominate the future. Complete dumbing down of kids while China has standards.

US is not imploding but the gap between the top students and mid+lower pack of students is widen because of subpar education.

Because in states like California bright students in low income areas don't even get a chance to compete with top students in other states who are tracked and do have the opportunity to take AP and advanced math classes. Instead, these smart kids are twiddling their thumbs and keeping their head down in classes dominated by morons and disruptive students. Such a waste of talent. Progressives clearly don't think at all about bright, motivated students in lower income neighborhoods.

Schools shouldn't define them. If they are bright, they will be fine in the end. Especially we are in the AI generation. Knowledge is obtainable easily. Even better not limited in the US.

Maybe you paint the world in negative lens. Tools are for people who know how to use them. That's all.

You AI cheerleaders are the worst. Like knowledge and smarts are just another commodity. Therefore, we can let schools rot because because every student has access to AI. That's your equity. We should all be dumbasses together. And if we need anything, Silicon Valley can teach us real good with the phone thingy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Duh. This is what liberal lunacy focused on "equity" results in. Absolute dumbing down of America. In progressives' minds, if there isn’t a desired racial and diversity outcome in things like math scores, their solution is to get rid of the tests and quality standards, not assist those who can't make it.

Newsflash: physics, engineering, math, and science give zero Fs about equity and race. If you can't do the math, then you don't belong. This is why the US is imploding and China will dominate the future. Complete dumbing down of kids while China has standards.

US is not imploding but the gap between the top students and mid+lower pack of students is widen because of subpar education.

Because in states like California bright students in low income areas don't even get a chance to compete with top students in other states who are tracked and do have the opportunity to take AP and advanced math classes. Instead, these smart kids are twiddling their thumbs and keeping their head down in classes dominated by morons and disruptive students. Such a waste of talent. Progressives clearly don't think at all about bright, motivated students in lower income neighborhoods.

Schools shouldn't define them. If they are bright, they will be fine in the end. Especially we are in the AI generation. Knowledge is obtainable easily. Even better not limited in the US.

You AI cheerleaders are the worst. Like knowledge and smarts are just another commodity. Therefore, we can let schools rot because because every student has access to AI. That's your equity. We should all be dumbasses together. And if we need anything, Silicon Valley can teach us real good with the phone thingy.

Maybe you paint the world in negative lens. Tools are for people who know how to use them. That's all. For people who don't want to learn, no matter how many fishes you give them, they will starve in the end the moment you stop feeding them fish.

[Anonymous]

Speechless -

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2026-05-27/uc-math-professors-demand-return-of-sat-for-stem-admissions

Over three years — from fall 2021 to fall 2023 — the letter said, at least 20% of Berkeley first-semester calculus students who took a diagnostic exam showed deficits. “Basic mathematical fluency is analogous to literacy; without it, success in university-level STEM becomes structurally unattainable for students,” faculty wrote.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Speechless -

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2026-05-27/uc-math-professors-demand-return-of-sat-for-stem-admissions

Over three years — from fall 2021 to fall 2023 — the letter said, at least 20% of Berkeley first-semester calculus students who took a diagnostic exam showed deficits. “Basic mathematical fluency is analogous to literacy; without it, success in university-level STEM becomes structurally unattainable for students,” faculty wrote.

What is making you speechless? Calc 1 isn't exactly an advanced course.

[Anonymous]

All these top STEM programs should remain "rigorous" not "prestigious"

This is really a self-destruction of higher education in the US.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Speechless -

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2026-05-27/uc-math-professors-demand-return-of-sat-for-stem-admissions

Over three years — from fall 2021 to fall 2023 — the letter said, at least 20% of Berkeley first-semester calculus students who took a diagnostic exam showed deficits. “Basic mathematical fluency is analogous to literacy; without it, success in university-level STEM becomes structurally unattainable for students,” faculty wrote.

What is making you speechless? Calc 1 isn't exactly an advanced course.

Speechless because what do those students expect to do if they CANNOT do calculus in a STEM program. The only next exit is non-STEM, that totally defeats their original intention to attend these programs. These are ripple effects. I would have a lot of doubt hiring the students coming from compromised curriculum if schools are forced to dumb down their curriculum to accomondate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Duh. This is what liberal lunacy focused on "equity" results in. Absolute dumbing down of America. In progressives' minds, if there isn’t a desired racial and diversity outcome in things like math scores, their solution is to get rid of the tests and quality standards, not assist those who can't make it.

Newsflash: physics, engineering, math, and science give zero Fs about equity and race. If you can't do the math, then you don't belong. This is why the US is imploding and China will dominate the future. Complete dumbing down of kids while China has standards.

US is not imploding but the gap between the top students and mid+lower pack of students is widen because of subpar education.

Because in states like California bright students in low income areas don't even get a chance to compete with top students in other states who are tracked and do have the opportunity to take AP and advanced math classes. Instead, these smart kids are twiddling their thumbs and keeping their head down in classes dominated by morons and disruptive students. Such a waste of talent. Progressives clearly don't think at all about bright, motivated students in lower income neighborhoods.

Schools shouldn't define them. If they are bright, they will be fine in the end. Especially we are in the AI generation. Knowledge is obtainable easily. Even better not limited in the US.

You AI cheerleaders are the worst. Like knowledge and smarts are just another commodity. Therefore, we can let schools rot because because every student has access to AI. That's your equity. We should all be dumbasses together. And if we need anything, Silicon Valley can teach us real good with the phone thingy.

Sure, stupid MAGA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Speechless -

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2026-05-27/uc-math-professors-demand-return-of-sat-for-stem-admissions

Over three years — from fall 2021 to fall 2023 — the letter said, at least 20% of Berkeley first-semester calculus students who took a diagnostic exam showed deficits. “Basic mathematical fluency is analogous to literacy; without it, success in university-level STEM becomes structurally unattainable for students,” faculty wrote.

What is making you speechless? Calc 1 isn't exactly an advanced course.

Speechless because what do those students expect to do if they CANNOT do calculus in a STEM program. The only next exit is non-STEM, that totally defeats their original intention to attend these programs. These are ripple effects. I would have a lot of doubt hiring the students coming from compromised curriculum if schools are forced to dumb down their curriculum to accomondate.

Not everyone needs to be able to do calculus you know.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Speechless -

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2026-05-27/uc-math-professors-demand-return-of-sat-for-stem-admissions

Over three years — from fall 2021 to fall 2023 — the letter said, at least 20% of Berkeley first-semester calculus students who took a diagnostic exam showed deficits. “Basic mathematical fluency is analogous to literacy; without it, success in university-level STEM becomes structurally unattainable for students,” faculty wrote.

What is making you speechless? Calc 1 isn't exactly an advanced course.

Speechless because what do those students expect to do if they CANNOT do calculus in a STEM program. The only next exit is non-STEM, that totally defeats their original intention to attend these programs. These are ripple effects. I would have a lot of doubt hiring the students coming from compromised curriculum if schools are forced to dumb down their curriculum to accomondate.

Not everyone needs to be able to do calculus you know.

STEM majors especially need to know how to do calc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Speechless -

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2026-05-27/uc-math-professors-demand-return-of-sat-for-stem-admissions

Over three years — from fall 2021 to fall 2023 — the letter said, at least 20% of Berkeley first-semester calculus students who took a diagnostic exam showed deficits. “Basic mathematical fluency is analogous to literacy; without it, success in university-level STEM becomes structurally unattainable for students,” faculty wrote.

What is making you speechless? Calc 1 isn't exactly an advanced course.

Speechless because what do those students expect to do if they CANNOT do calculus in a STEM program. The only next exit is non-STEM, that totally defeats their original intention to attend these programs. These are ripple effects. I would have a lot of doubt hiring the students coming from compromised curriculum if schools are forced to dumb down their curriculum to accomondate.

Not everyone needs to be able to do calculus you know.

STEM majors especially need to know how to do calc.

Trained biologist and have never used calculus a day in my life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Imagine paying $85,000 a year for this:

The faculty letter says:

“Students entering calculus courses increasingly lack mastery of prerequisite algebraic and trigonometric concepts.”

“Many students who completed high school calculus are unable to perform symbolic manipulations expected for success in university-level calculus.”


“Faculty across departments report a significant deterioration in quantitative preparedness among incoming students.”


“Calculus has become a major barrier to persistence in STEM majors because students are arriving without the mathematical foundations these courses assume.”

How are state exams not catching this? How are students taking calculus but not able to do 2x=8? I know in Texas you only need a 30% to be proficient on the state exams. Is something similar happening in California?

1. That doesn’t necessarily mean 2x=8
2. They grew up using Desmos, which can give them the answer to any equation without knowing how to solve it. Some teachers use it in higher level classes so they never really learned the foundation and only know how to get the answer.
3. Desmos is now on the SATs and ACTs.

I’m a HS math teacher and we are spit in my department. Some of us won’t allow Desmos at all and only give paper tests, some still no calculator, to test their foundational knowledge. Others allow Desmos on everything and say it’s allowed on the SATs so why not. Some students graduate HS and do not know how to solve an equation without it.

How recent is this? There was no desmos when my kid graduated high school just 3 years ago.