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> If a state did the same thing with LGBT topics or evolution Hahaha you mean the topics that are actually getting banned in states like Florida and Kentucky?
by dahart 3y ago
> If a state did the same thing with LGBT topics or evolution
Hahaha you mean the topics that are actually getting banned in states like Florida and Kentucky?
> giving directives that schools are not to devote any resources to teaching 8th grade algebra is in every sense equivalent to “banning teaching algebra”
Again, please provide some specific examples of this happening. Are you getting all worked up over something that is mostly made up or taken completely out of context? No way to know unless you cite the actual problem and demonstrate the magnitude of the problem.
Of course there absolutely is a huge difference between not having the resources for a class and banning it by law, and you know it. You can argue the outcomes might be equivalent, if you want, but it undermines your own argument to exaggerate.
- scarmig 3y ago> Again, please provide some specific examples of this happening I can't speak to local school board politics outside of SFUSD, but here's a particular example: https://www.sfexaminer.com/forum/put-algebra-1-back-in-eighth-grade/article_01ca608e-be01-11ed-9d12-5fb4111a4db8.html https://www.sfexaminer.com/forum/put-algebra-1-back-in-eight... Opinion piece, but substantive. https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/sfusd-algebra-math-wars-stanford-study-17851567.php https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/sfusd-algebra-ma... A more recent piece.
- dahart 3y agoThanks, specifics are helpful, especially when broad generalizations are being thrown around. Googling it I can see that SFUSD is reconsidering https://www.sfusd.edu/about-sfusd/sfusd-news/press-releases/2023-10-02-sfusd-focus-group-examine-access-and-implementation-algebra-1-8th-grade https://www.sfusd.edu/about-sfusd/sfusd-news/press-releases/...
- ndriscoll 3y agoFrom your link > The question is not if we can increase acceleration options, but how we can meet that need equitably and while upholding our SFUSD values Says it all. They have the resources, but still don't want to do it because outcomes will (obviously) diverge.
- dahart 3y agoFair enough, I’m not defending SFUSD specifically, I’m arguing from my own experience having seen similar policies made specifically over resource constraints. That text notwithstanding it would still be true that adding options for advanced students does take away resources that could be used for students that are behind, one way or another. It might not be a lot, and it might be reasonable to offer advanced math, but the money is still finite and could be used to further help kids in the most need. In this entire thread we’re still only talking about kids who’ve already met the educational goals, and not talking about how to avoid leaving some kids behind, especially the poorer ones.
- baruz 3y ago>please provide some specific examples The California proposal for mathematics education got a lot of play on HN over the last several months, e.g.: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=28237018 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=28237018