Math Equality in Virginia

[scotchtiger]

I mean we don’t want those damn smart kids getting too far ahead or anything. It’s a good thing VA is taking action to ensure mediocrity is an equal opportunity goal.

Virginia moving to eliminate all accelerated math courses before 11th grade as part of equity-focused plan

The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) is moving to eliminate all accelerated math options prior to 11th grade, effectively keeping higher-achieving students from advancing as they usually would in the school system.

www.foxnews.com

 

[jakefest]

I mean we don’t want those damn smart kids getting too far ahead or anything. It’s a good thing VA is taking action to ensure mediocrity is an equal opportunity goal.

Virginia moving to eliminate all accelerated math courses before 11th grade as part of equity-focused plan

The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) is moving to eliminate all accelerated math options prior to 11th grade, effectively keeping higher-achieving students from advancing as they usually would in the school system.

www.foxnews.com

It's like we are desperately trying to ensure America falls further behind in education standards.

 

[tgrharley]

I mean we don’t want those damn smart kids getting too far ahead or anything. It’s a good thing VA is taking action to ensure mediocrity is an equal opportunity goal.

Virginia moving to eliminate all accelerated math courses before 11th grade as part of equity-focused plan

The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) is moving to eliminate all accelerated math options prior to 11th grade, effectively keeping higher-achieving students from advancing as they usually would in the school system.

www.foxnews.com

Anyone care to guess which side of the aisle supports this? Bueller? McFly? Iceheart? okclem?

 

[dpic73]

It's like we are desperately trying to ensure America falls further behind in education standards.

Sounds like they fear the poorly educated Trump voter is getting left behind.

 

[jakefest]

Sounds like they fear the poorly educated Trump voter is getting left behind.

I think you meant to embed a "math is racist" meme

 

[scotchtiger]

Sounds like they fear the poorly educated Trump voter is getting left behind.

I know you have your partisan sparring cap on, but take it off for a moment. Do you think policies like this are good?

 

[dpic73]

I know you have your partisan sparring cap on, but take it off for a moment. Do you think policies like this are good?

I'm not sure that you or I know enough to pontificate based on this article from a questionable source, but this paragraph caught my attention:

"For many years, parents and the system have valued and rewarded speed via acceleration and 'covering content' rather than depth of understanding. The Virginia Mathematics Pathway Initiative shifts to a focus on and value for deeper learning through differentiated instruction on grade level that will promote student development of critical thinking, authentic application and problem solving skills," Pyle said.

It appears they recognize that many students are just memorizing rather than actually learning anything of value, so they are addressing that issue. I can see the sense in that though I agree there should be other options for high achievers. I tell you what I'll do though. My cousin is a college professor in the state of Virginia, so I'll send this up to her to get her thoughts.

 

[TigerGrowls]

I mean we don’t want those damn smart kids getting too far ahead or anything. It’s a good thing VA is taking action to ensure mediocrity is an equal opportunity goal.

Virginia moving to eliminate all accelerated math courses before 11th grade as part of equity-focused plan

The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) is moving to eliminate all accelerated math options prior to 11th grade, effectively keeping higher-achieving students from advancing as they usually would in the school system.

www.foxnews.com

This is what Obama common core was designed for. They want the vast majority performing on a uniform low level. The dumbing down of America in progress. We are being assimilated into a worldwide communist village without a shot being fired.

 

[dpic73]

I think you meant to embed a "math is racist" meme

You're getting more radical by the day

 

[scotchtiger]

I'm not sure that you or I know enough to pontificate based on these articles from questionable sources, but this paragraph caught my attention:

"For many years, parents and the system have valued and rewarded speed via acceleration and 'covering content' rather than depth of understanding. The Virginia Mathematics Pathway Initiative shifts to a focus on and value for deeper learning through differentiated instruction on grade level that will promote student development of critical thinking, authentic application and problem solving skills," Pyle said.

It appears they recognize that many students are just memorizing rather than actually learning anything of value, so they are addressing that issue. I can see the sense in that though I agree there should be other options for high achievers. I tell you what I'll do though. My cousin is a college professor in the state of Virginia, so I'll send this up to her to get her thoughts.

Fair response. I hope that is the intent.

Public education should allow for different progression rates because students are not equal in capability. Everyone should be taught with equal effort, but they can be taught in different ways and at different rates.

Any given grade level could easily have a range of 50 IQ points among its students. Any belief that the content those students can consume is equal is absurd.

 

[dpic73]

Fair response. I hope that is the intent.

Public education should allow for different progression rates because students are not equal in capability. Everyone should be taught with equal effort, but they can be taught in different ways and at different rates.

Any given grade level could easily have a range of 50 IQ points among its students. Any belief that the content those students can consume is equal is absurd.

My response was an attempt to be fair because I know you to be an honest broker, though I do have to get my political jabs in .

But it sounds like they are addressing your statement in bold above. Maybe we should consider that this approach may have some value rather than having a knee-jerk hysterical response to it.

"VDOE spokesperson Charles Pyle indicated to Fox News that the courses would allow for at least some variation depending on students' skill level. "Differentiated instruction means providing instruction that is catered to the learning needs of each child (appropriate levels of challenge and academic rigor)," Pyle said.

 

[jakefest]

You're getting more radical by the day

I'll pull it back then

 

[PawsFan_]

I mean we don’t want those damn smart kids getting too far ahead or anything. It’s a good thing VA is taking action to ensure mediocrity is an equal opportunity goal.

Virginia moving to eliminate all accelerated math courses before 11th grade as part of equity-focused plan

The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) is moving to eliminate all accelerated math options prior to 11th grade, effectively keeping higher-achieving students from advancing as they usually would in the school system.

www.foxnews.com

 

[nytigerfan]

This is what Obama common core was designed for. They want the vast majority performing on a uniform low level. The dumbing down of America in progress. We are being assimilated into a worldwide communist village without a shot being fired.

And you are ahead of schedule.

 

[UpstateTgrFan]

There is a lot of education reform being pushed now that attempts to equalize outcomes through reframing the standards of what "achievement" and learning are. In my opinion, such initiatives do a disservice to all students and help us avoid the extremely heavy lifting we need to do in homes, communities, churches, schools, and other parts of the "village" on behalf of our young people.

A rising tide will raise all boats, and to do that we must:

1. Prioritize education in homes and throughout our communities, emphasizing its inherent value to our individual lives and as a society.
2. Incorporate additional trade skill tracks and opportunities starting in high school.
3. Heal and/or strengthen the relationship between teachers and parents.
4. Enhance civics/community service programs in schools.
5. Recognize the inherent value of the "classics" while welcoming counter-viewpoints and antagonistic works.
6. Depoliticize and de-ideologize standards and curricula.
7. Re-emphasize the "well-rounded" education through the arts and creativity.
8. Increase funding for STEM programs for all children.
9. Prioritize additional funding for STEM programs for children without access to the necessary resources to be exposed to STEM outside the classroom.
10. Recognize the importance of remaining competitive in a global, technology and service-based economy.
11. Recognize that it is ok for outcomes to be different as long as our institutions provide equal access to education and provide resources to assist those students with challenges inside and outside the classroom.
12. Regardless of personal political affiliation, recognize most importantly that our public schools are not an opportunity to indoctrinate our children. It is a place to train them to be independent thinkers and valuable citizens as adults.

 

[wmnesbitt]

things like this will lead to more homeschooling, private schooling (without telling white kids they are inherently racist), and creating a larger divide in the education received. Thereby shrinking the middle class and creating a larger income gap.

 

[dpic73]

things like this will lead to more homeschooling, private schooling (without telling white kids they are inherently racist), and creating a larger divide in the education received. Thereby shrinking the middle class and creating a larger income gap.

Seems like you'd want to keep them in public schools so they can be dumbed down. I mean, how else are you gonna win the White House back?

 

[TigerGrowls]

And you are ahead of schedule.

Don't try to be smart dummy.

 

[CU Alumnus]

I mean we don’t want those damn smart kids getting too far ahead or anything. It’s a good thing VA is taking action to ensure mediocrity is an equal opportunity goal.

Virginia moving to eliminate all accelerated math courses before 11th grade as part of equity-focused plan

The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) is moving to eliminate all accelerated math options prior to 11th grade, effectively keeping higher-achieving students from advancing as they usually would in the school system.

www.foxnews.com

I know there is probably more to this, but this sounds like a "lowest common denominator" thing to me.

 

[scotchtiger]

My response was an attempt to be fair because I know you to be an honest broker, though I do have to get my political jabs in .

But it sounds like they are addressing your statement in bold above. Maybe we should consider that this approach may have some value rather than having a knee-jerk hysterical response to it.

"VDOE spokesperson Charles Pyle indicated to Fox News that the courses would allow for at least some variation depending on students' skill level. "Differentiated instruction means providing instruction that is catered to the learning needs of each child (appropriate levels of challenge and academic rigor)," Pyle said.

Like I said, I hope that the intent of the change is as pure as some of the snippets may indicate.

That said, I think it's more likely a result of this shift from equal opportunity to equal outcomes. We know that is a philosophy that many on the left embrace, and certainly not something I agree with.

 

[fcctiger12]

There is a lot of education reform being pushed now that attempts to equalize outcomes through reframing the standards of what "achievement" and learning are. In my opinion, such initiatives do a disservice to all students and help us avoid the extremely heavy lifting we need to do in homes, communities, churches, schools, and other parts of the "village" on behalf of our young people.

A rising tide will raise all boats, and to do that we must:

1. Prioritize education in homes and throughout our communities, emphasizing its inherent value to our individual lives and as a society.
2. Incorporate additional trade skill tracks and opportunities starting in high school.
3. Heal and/or strengthen the relationship between teachers and parents.
4. Enhance civics/community service programs in schools.
5. Recognize the inherent value of the "classics" while welcoming counter-viewpoints and antagonistic works.
6. Depoliticize and de-ideologize standards and curricula.
7. Re-emphasize the "well-rounded" education through the arts and creativity.
8. Increase funding for STEM programs for all children.
9. Prioritize additional funding for STEM programs for children without access to the necessary resources to be exposed to STEM outside the classroom.
10. Recognize the importance of remaining competitive in a global, technology and service-based economy.
11. Recognize that it is ok for outcomes to be different as long as our institutions provide equal access to education and provide resources to assist those students with challenges inside and outside the classroom.
12. Regardless of personal political affiliation, recognize most importantly that our public schools are not an opportunity to indoctrinate our children. It is a place to train them to be independent thinkers and valuable citizens as adults.

There's also a lot of 'education reform' that is attempting to funnel tax dollars to private schools and destroy public education. There is a hearing about one of these terrible bills going on now in the state legislature.

As for your list of things that need to be done:
1. I'd love to know what you imagine can be done to further prioritize education in homes and throughout the community. Also, are you going to do it without any extra funding to run ads, etc?
2. This is already happening. See Charleston County
3. Why do parents have issues with teachers?
4. Pretty sure this happens at every HS in America
5. This seems to contradict your next point.
6. Are you talking about public schools, private schools or colleges. Pretty sure that the standards for public schools are set by the SC legislature so this might be difficult.
7. Sure let's spend more time on arts and creativity but continue to require pointless state testing that is used to judge teachers, schools, principal's, etc. Tell educators that they need to do more work to provide a 'well-rounded' education but they will only be judged state test scores.
8. Agreed, to a point. English and History are important too.
9. Where is this funding going to come from in SC?
10. Who doesn't recognize this?
11. The only places that students get the same grades are elite universities like Harvard and the other Ivys due to grade inflation.
12. (sigh)