Midwest Chick's Place

(A.K.A. Non-Original Rants)

–Co-opting good stuff from all over the ‘Net and maybe some original thoughts—ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒE

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Proof that 'equity' leads to more mediocrity

As if we needed any proof….

 A decade ago, San Francisco decided to punt middle school algebra in the name of ‘equity’.  So while putting their students at a disadvantage for college admissions, the idea behind it–leveling the playing field for black students didn’t work either.

Overall, eighth-grade math proficiency in the district has fallen from 51 percent to 40 percent, according to the board. Proficiency among black students fell from 11 percent to 4 percent.

 And the State of California, for some reason, showed some good sense in not implementing the San Fran model statewide.  It’s going to take three years to get the math programs back up to speed.  

And in the meantime, several districts in other states have done things like get rid of honors classes.  Which in a decade (or sooner) will most likely show the same results.

Dumbing down leads to mediocrity for all, and the kids are the victims.  Of course, just another reason for homeschooling!

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Midwest Chick

  1. Avatar
    Anonymous

    California is really good at coming up with really stupid educational ideas. “Word shape” was one of them. Instead of phonics, kids were taught to guess the word based on the overall shape.Of course, if you don't live in California, and they can manage to keep their goofy ideas in California, then it highlights why you want 50 different experiments going on. Let California fail so all the other states can use it as a negative example.

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  2. Avatar
    Anonymous

    Flattening the curve.Respect the science!

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  3. Avatar
    Anonymous

    What's astonishing is that if you remove algebra from the equation, you are left with the basics – addition, multiplication, etc. 96% of their target population is innumerate and as likely, illiterate. There is no society with numbers like that.

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  4. Avatar
    Anonymous

    A lot depends on a teacher's excitement about his or her subject. I think Singapore does well because they invest in good teachers. I think the best idea for schools is to hire teachers in math that have Ph.D's in math, not in education.

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  5. Avatar
    Anonymous

    Probably a bunch of Liberal White Karen's idea.Women REALLy hate algebra. Even more than they hate parallel parking…Or accepting responsibility

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  6. Avatar
    Anonymous

    Not saying B's wrong, but I think it will take a lot longer than 3 years to make any improvement in scores, and the kids will be the ones that suffer, still, again…

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  7. Avatar
    Anonymous

    This 'equity' thingy: one criminal per responsible citizen.That's the goal for Kalifornia.

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  8. Avatar
    Anonymous

    Anon–Exactly. I wonder if any of the schools who are taking away honors classes and such are going to re-think? (Nah, I really don't think they will).Gerry–Tearing down so others look tallerAnon–There should be little to no illiteracy in this country. But when schools refuse to teach or maintain standards, then it happens.Avraham–I do think there is a correlation with the rise of colleges of education and the rise in illiteracy in this country.B–I really didn't hate algebra but did have to stay after school for some tutoring. And I deal with numbers all day–that's my gig. As for parallel parking, I mastered that in Boston–no choice. But all that aside, dumbing down curricula does come from 'educators' who are predominantly liberal women.NFO–It's probably going to take a decade to start seeing change.Henk–They seem to be going in that direction.

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  9. Avatar
    Anonymous

    I bet a dollar the same folks who thought that was a good idea are angry that there aren't enough minorities in STEM.

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  10. Avatar
    Anonymous

    Veeshir–No bet–it's definitely the same people.

    Like

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  11. Avatar
    Anonymous

    California is really good at coming up with really stupid educational ideas. “Word shape” was one of them. Instead of phonics, kids were taught to guess the word based on the overall shape.Of course, if you don't live in California, and they can manage to keep their goofy ideas in California, then it highlights why you want 50 different experiments going on. Let California fail so all the other states can use it as a negative example.

    Like

    Reply
  12. Avatar
    Anonymous

    Flattening the curve.Respect the science!

    Like

    Reply
  13. Avatar
    Anonymous

    What's astonishing is that if you remove algebra from the equation, you are left with the basics – addition, multiplication, etc. 96% of their target population is innumerate and as likely, illiterate. There is no society with numbers like that.

    Like

    Reply
  14. Avatar
    Anonymous

    A lot depends on a teacher's excitement about his or her subject. I think Singapore does well because they invest in good teachers. I think the best idea for schools is to hire teachers in math that have Ph.D's in math, not in education.

    Like

    Reply
  15. Avatar
    Anonymous

    Probably a bunch of Liberal White Karen's idea.Women REALLy hate algebra. Even more than they hate parallel parking…Or accepting responsibility

    Like

    Reply
  16. Avatar
    Anonymous

    Not saying B's wrong, but I think it will take a lot longer than 3 years to make any improvement in scores, and the kids will be the ones that suffer, still, again…

    Like

    Reply
  17. Avatar
    Anonymous

    This 'equity' thingy: one criminal per responsible citizen.That's the goal for Kalifornia.

    Like

    Reply
  18. Avatar
    Anonymous

    Anon–Exactly. I wonder if any of the schools who are taking away honors classes and such are going to re-think? (Nah, I really don't think they will).Gerry–Tearing down so others look tallerAnon–There should be little to no illiteracy in this country. But when schools refuse to teach or maintain standards, then it happens.Avraham–I do think there is a correlation with the rise of colleges of education and the rise in illiteracy in this country.B–I really didn't hate algebra but did have to stay after school for some tutoring. And I deal with numbers all day–that's my gig. As for parallel parking, I mastered that in Boston–no choice. But all that aside, dumbing down curricula does come from 'educators' who are predominantly liberal women.NFO–It's probably going to take a decade to start seeing change.Henk–They seem to be going in that direction.

    Like

    Reply
  19. Avatar
    Anonymous

    I bet a dollar the same folks who thought that was a good idea are angry that there aren't enough minorities in STEM.

    Like

    Reply
  20. Avatar
    Anonymous

    Veeshir–No bet–it's definitely the same people.

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    Reply

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