News for hackers. Stuff that matters.

A comment on San Francisco schools banned kids from taking algebra in 8th grade. Parent comment

Re:San Francisco schools banned kids from taking algebra in ... by CJefferson on Friday March 31, 2023 @02:58AM (#35383618)
Is that average over the country? Because there are regions where almost every student is already above average, and regions where they are below.

This sounds like a way of funneling the best teachers into the already best schools in the richest areas, and making it impossible to employ good teachers in poorer regions -- unless you have a plan to fix this (I realise you've only given a tiny explanation).

[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:San Francisco schools banned kids from taking algebra in ... by WalterBright on Friday March 31, 2023 @03:32AM (#35383844)
You could modify the plan so the bonus only happens for the kids who didn't meet grade level the previous year.

That way, the best teachers would want to teach the low performers, because that's where the max bonuses would be.

[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:San Francisco schools banned kids from taking algebra in ... by CJefferson on Friday March 31, 2023 @05:48AM (#35384660)
This would seem to involve independant, standardised testing to be held on all students, every year. Letting teachers, or even the school, evaluate students would obviously make it too easy for biases.

I will admit I'm in the UK, not the US, but we only do huge standardised tests every 3 years or so, as they are very disruptive.

[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:San Francisco schools banned kids from taking algebra in ... by WalterBright on Friday March 31, 2023 @01:25PM (#35390194)
You're right that an independent 3rd party would be needed to administer the tests.
[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:San Francisco schools banned kids from taking algebra in ... by aYsY4dDQ2NrcNzA on Friday March 31, 2023 @12:57PM (#35389914)
My mind swims with the perverse incentives this would engender.
[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:San Francisco schools banned kids from taking algebra in ... by WalterBright on Friday March 31, 2023 @01:24PM (#35390181)
Terrifying, isn't it? Trying something new!
[ Parent | on HN ]