News for hackers. Stuff that matters.

A comment on California moves to recommend delaying algebra to 9th grade statewide. Parent comment

Re:California moves to recommend delaying algebra to 9th gra... by bla3 on Wednesday November 24, 2021 @08:30AM (#29329770)
In my experience, high achievers become interested in topics only covered in higher grades sooner or later anyways. And once they do, they pursue them only out of interest and intrinsic motivation, and that tends to boost their motivation. So I don't think this affects high achievers all that much either way.

Almost by definition, school (and everything else) is designed for the top of the bell curve.

Now, maybe school plan design can move the median ability up or down, and I don't have an opinion on if this change here does that, and if so, in what direction. I do think it doesn't affect the high end much either way.

[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:California moves to recommend delaying algebra to 9th gra... by lordnacho on Wednesday November 24, 2021 @08:34AM (#29329811)
Sure, that works for resourceful high achievers. There's probably a lot of kids who wouldn't go looking for interesting stuff simply because they don't have access to their own computer, or there's no teacher who's noticed that they are interested in stuff and has extra time to throw a few bones their way. Basically self starters who haven't been ignited yet.
[ Parent | on HN ]