Re:America Lets Too Much Young Talent Go to Waste
by obpacheco on Wednesday February 06, 2019 @04:27PM
(#19100167)
Coming from a public high school in the Bay Area I can totally understand the issue of AP/Honors or advanced math classes having the effect of segregation based on socioeconomic background. It's a tricky subject but I was able to take algebra in 7th grade which set me up to take calculus in junior year all through what the public schools provided which I was extremely greatful for. Personally I think it would be a shame if these classes get removed even though I understand the sentiment.
It's important to note that this is both a controversial and complicated topic, since it isn't entirely accurate to say that the course material for algebra has been eliminated from 8th grade math. However, it does mean that graduates of SFUSD now have to amend their high school path (summer sessions, private classes followed by entrance exams, or doubling up on math during one or more years of high school) in order to be prepared to take calculus in their senior year of High School. This isn't the case for private schools or public schools from other Bay Area districts, which continue to teach algebra as a formal standalone course in 8th grade.
Here's one link about it, but I'd recommend reading more extensively if you're interested:
https://www.sfchronicle.com/education/article/SF-schools-mov...
It's a more nuanced issue than pure "progressive" (or what the parent poster called "woke") politics, as this decision was also made as part of a push to teach math differently and less mechanically (common core).
https://priceonomics.com/why-did-san-francisco-schools-stop-...
However, concern over the racial/ethnic composition of 8th grade algebra classes in SFUSD was a stated concern of many of the people promoting this decision.