This open letter on math education in the US urges to reject the latest draft California Math Framework (CMF) which eliminates 8th grade Algebra I. It has over 150 signatories, including Fields Medalists, Turing Award winners, & Nobel laureates: scottaaronson.blog/?p=6146
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cc please read this letter and urge to replace the Math Curriculum Framework and Evaluation Criteria Committee (CFCC) and start the Framework draft process over with new authors.
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If our CA state leadership doesn’t act on this quickly and replace the committee, then voters will replace them with new elected officials who will.
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As someone who struggled and failed in math courses through middle, high school and college, but know works in software development, we need more- not less math education. 1/2
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Rather than remove Math subjects from curricula, it’s imperative that how Math is taught to kids is improved. Listening to a episode (pca.st/episode/67d576) with atm, great insight into how much better the way Math is taught can be!
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also drafted this flawed CA draft math framework, so I would be very skeptical of any content or advice in that podcast episode.
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Middle schools can *still* teach algebra, even under these changes (not an endorsement or defense - just a fact).
How about Texas school districts banning books, tho?
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It might seem that way, but in practice schools following this curriculum will not offer 8th grade algebra. Students in SF had to pay for an outside course to reach Calculus by senior year. A SFUSD student created this site to guide stressed classmates:
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I really don't care what a Fields Medal winner has to say about teaching middle school math. I would give them the same credence that they give the teachers who they consider to be beneath them. My wife had a Fields winner teacher her Calc class and said he was not effective.
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Got it, you don't care about expertise and your wife had a bad personal experience with a Fields Medal winner teaching a Calculus class.
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