(CALMATTERS) – A controversial proposal to overhaul California’s math framework for 6.1 million K-12 public school students has drawn so much public engagement that the state Board of Education recently voted to postpone final action on the curriculum from November 2021 to May 2022. More than 500 individuals and groups submitted edits to the state’s draft plan, which recommends districts keep all students in the same math classes through sophomore year of high school instead of letting some start taking advanced math courses in middle school.
The framework has also come under fire for promoting social justice and racial equity concepts. Though it still seeks to replace the notion that some students “have natural gifts and talents” with the “recognition that every student is on a growth pathway,” references to a report about dismantling racism and white supremacy were removed due to parent complaints. Once the framework is revised to incorporate recent feedback, Californians will have another opportunity to suggest edits before the state Board of Education takes final action next year.
Things aren’t quiet at the Board of Education these days: In March, it passed an ethnic studies model curriculum after four years, four drafts and more than 100,000 public comments.