California promotes 'dismantling racism in mathematics' guidance in draft for statewide framework
'The concept of mathematics being purely objective is unequivocally false,' document states
A California-based group is sounding the alarm as the state education department considers implementing a framework that promotes controversial ideas about race and mathematics.
The "Pathway to Equitable Math Instruction" caught attention in February when Fox News reported on Oregon defending the program, which advises, among other things, that the focus on finding the right answer is an example of White supremacy infiltrating classrooms.
"The concept of mathematics being purely objective is unequivocally false, and teaching it is even much less so," a document for the "Equitable Math" toolkit reads. "Upholding the idea that there are always right and wrong answers perpetuate objectivity as well as fear of open conflict."
Educators for Quality and Equality co-founder Lori Meyers told Fox News on Tuesday: "With California schools consistently performing below average in math on both the CAASP [California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress] assessment and on our Nation's Report Card, it's especially important that the State Board of Education provide us educators with resources that contain research-based best practices for improving outcomes, and reject resources that demean teachers and single out one race for blame."
"We ask that the state provide us with a mathematics framework that reflects sound, research-based practices over political ideology," she added.
According to the department's website, the state will be reviewing the draft framework throughout the year with the school board taking action on it in November. Meyers worries that the framework could last for years if approved. The last one to be implemented by the state was from 2013.
Meyers' group sent a letter to state leaders last week with a request to reconsider the "Equitable Math" program, which is included multiple times as a reference in the state's draft framework.
California promotes 'dismantling racism in mathematics' guidance in draft for statewide framework | Fox News