Reply to Are AP-type classes racist?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I am a teacher in a school system that does have significant racial inequities.  My observation is that the problem isn't that &quot;AP-type classes (are) raciest&quot; as much as it is that the pathway to get to AP classes begins with TAG selection in elementary grades, and the TAG identification process is without a doubt racist and inequitable.[/quote]

Our school district (not DMV) does not offer TAG or similar programs in elementary school. Differentiation is spotty at best. Despite a push toward equity, the district is well known nationally for disparities in outcomes between white kids and kids of color. The middle school offered an advanced math track (Math 6/7 &gt; Algebra &gt; Geometry), which has recently been eliminated.

Resources for the advanced math program will now be reallocated for early childhood education, targeting underserved kids. New math and literacy curricula have been adopted which supposedly raise the bar for all kids in the classroom. I believe this is the right thing to do and sincerely hope it works.

At the same time, I am so grateful that my DC was in that last group of kids admitted to the advanced math track. He despised math in elementary school, but has absolutely thrived in Algebra 7 and for the first time declares math his favorite subject. It is clear to me now he was not appropriately challenged in the earlier years.

Whatever the answer is, I hope that giving everyone the opportunity to take part in advanced material, if they desire, is part of the equation.
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