Hundreds of professors sign letter blasting 'woke' math movement to eliminate ...

Hundreds of professors sign letter blasting 'woke' math movement to eliminate ...
Hundreds of professors sign letter blasting 'woke' math movement to eliminate ...

Hundreds of university professors slammed a 'woke' math movement that eliminates calculus in favor of social justice principles, saying the curriculum leaves children unprepared for higher education and puts the US at a global disadvantage.

The missive, titled 'Open Letter on K-12 Mathematics,' was published December 6 and signed by 746 math teachers and professors, including many from Ivy League schools. 

The letter takes specific aim at a proposed curriculum in California, called the California Mathematics Framework, which seeks to shift away from rigorous math courses to help close the achievement gap faced by underprivileged students, specifically those that are black, Hispanic or from low-income families.

'We are deeply concerned about the unintended consequences of recent well-intentioned approaches to reform mathematics education, particularly the California Mathematics Framework (CMF),' the professors' coalition letter continued. 

'Such frameworks aim to reduce achievement gaps by limiting the availability of advanced mathematical courses to middle schoolers and beginning high schoolers. While such reforms superficially seem "successful" at reducing disparities at the high school level, they are merely "kicking the can" to college.'

Pictured: the open letter from 746 math teachers and professors, who blasted the 'woke' mathematics movement that began in California back in late 2019

Pictured: the open letter from 746 math teachers and professors, who blasted the 'woke' mathematics movement that began in California back in late 2019

The movement began with California's Mathematics Framework, and pushes Algebra 1 back to 9th grade, removes parts of calculus, while applying social justice concepts to math lesson

The movement began with California's Mathematics Framework, and pushes Algebra 1 back to 9th grade, removes parts of calculus, while applying social justice concepts to math lesson

The CMF would push Algebra 1 back to 9th grade and remove large parts of the calculus curriculum, while applying social justice concepts to math lessons. 

The open letter said that taking away advanced math programs will be 'the height of irresponsibility' and will ultimately be to the students' detriment if they choose to pursue higher education. 

For those that do enroll in college, the need for more introductory math courses at the university level to compensate for the lack of advanced high school math programs would likely cause students to need more time to graduate.  

'We all share the urgent concern that the benefits of a robust mathematical education, and the career opportunities it opens up, should be shared more widely between students of all backgrounds, regardless of race, gender, and economic status.'

'We fully agree that mathematics education “should not be a gatekeeper but a launchpad,”' the open letter reads. 

Pictured: several diverse 'pathways' students can take under California's Mathematics Framework

Pictured: several diverse 'pathways' students can take under California's Mathematics Framework

Administrators Lab Middle School for Collaborative Studies in Manhattan, pictured, were pressured to reinstate honors math classes in June after a number of complaints from parents

Administrators Lab Middle School for Collaborative Studies in Manhattan, pictured, were pressured to reinstate honors math classes in June after a number of complaints from parents

Pictured: the Robert Wagner Middle School on the Upper East Side has also looked to remove its honors math program despite a fierce backlash from parents

Pictured: the Robert Wagner Middle School on the Upper East Side has also looked to remove its honors math program despite a fierce backlash from parents

The educators insist that it is vital to adhere to the standards set by STEM - Science Technology Engineering Mathematics - which provides the critical thinking skills needed to excel in the future. 

'While it is possible to succeed in STEM at college without taking advanced courses in high school, it is more challenging. College students who need to spend their early years taking introductory math courses may require more time to graduate,' the letter says. 

In July, the California Board of Education announced they were going to push back against

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