California Is Planning to 'De-Mathematize Math.' It Will Hurt the Vulnerable Most of All

The spotlight is once again on the State of California and its proposed new mathematics framework for grades K-12. The proposed framework would "de-mathematize math" and encourage the use of a "trauma-informed pedagogy," as an open letter to Governor Gavin Newsom signed by more than 900 professors of math and science from across California put it. The framework also rejects the idea of natural or innate giftedness among children and discourages allowing students to be placed into accelerated courses even if they have mastered the material covered in the course.

And it would be a disaster.

No doubt, this effort to level the playing field stems from a noble desire. Learning to "solve the problems that result in societal inequities" is important. But the fact is, replacing the teaching of actual math with lessons or pedagogies grounded in the work of social justice is an injustice; it's not justice to force students of vastly different mathematical or other learning capabilities to consume the same material in the same way when we know that learning needs differ from child to child.