San Francisco reverses 'equitable' ban on middle school algebra
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Re: San Francisco reverses 'equitable' ban on middle school algebra
#2Hot take (having taught algebra to disadvantaged youth in a previous life): a lot of kids who struggle with algebra do so because it is taught in a way that assumes a solid grasp of arithmetic. But many kids do not.
I've worked with high schoolers who couldn't subtract, and weren't about to learn to, because they are completely burnt out on the concept from having it attempted to be taught to them year after year.
But algebra does not depend on arithmetic. Nor on the arcane precedence rules employed by traditional notation. Algebra is just a term rewriting system following a small set of strict syntactical rules, and it can be taught that way successfully. (It can then be linked back to standard curriculum by teaching precedence rules and applying arithmetic reductions as an extra step.)
When taught this way, even kids who can't subtract actually get it, because it stands alone and has clear, simple rules.
Re: San Francisco reverses 'equitable' ban on middle school algebra
#3Hot take (having taught algebra to disadvantaged youth in a previous life): a lot of kids who struggle with algebra do so because it is taught in a way that assumes a solid grasp of arithmetic. But many kids do not . I've worked with high schoolers who couldn't subtract, and weren't about to learn to, because they are completely burnt out on the concept from having it attempted to be taught to them year after year. B…
Wait, how can algebra not depend on arithmetic? Something simple like x+20=3x+8.
The normal way to solve this is just separate terms, but you need to subtract 8 from 20. Is there another way to do this?
Re: San Francisco reverses 'equitable' ban on middle school algebra
#4Hot take (having taught algebra to disadvantaged youth in a previous life): a lot of kids who struggle with algebra do so because it is taught in a way that assumes a solid grasp of arithmetic. But many kids do not . I've worked with high schoolers who couldn't subtract, and weren't about to learn to, because they are completely burnt out on the concept from having it attempted to be taught to them year after year. B…
Wait, how can algebra not depend on arithmetic? Something simple like x+20=3x+8. The normal way to solve this is just separate terms, but you need to subtract 8 from 20. Is there another way to do this?
Allow calculators?
But I’m not sure of the end goal. Seems like in the real world, you need to subtract way more than solve algebra.
Re: San Francisco reverses 'equitable' ban on middle school algebra
#5Hot take (having taught algebra to disadvantaged youth in a previous life): a lot of kids who struggle with algebra do so because it is taught in a way that assumes a solid grasp of arithmetic. But many kids do not . I've worked with high schoolers who couldn't subtract, and weren't about to learn to, because they are completely burnt out on the concept from having it attempted to be taught to them year after year. B…
Honestly, what is the value of algebra if a child can’t even subtract?
Re: San Francisco reverses 'equitable' ban on middle school algebra
#6Hot take (having taught algebra to disadvantaged youth in a previous life): a lot of kids who struggle with algebra do so because it is taught in a way that assumes a solid grasp of arithmetic. But many kids do not . I've worked with high schoolers who couldn't subtract, and weren't about to learn to, because they are completely burnt out on the concept from having it attempted to be taught to them year after year. B…
>high schoolers who couldn't subtract, and weren't about to learn to, because they are completely burnt out on the concept from having it attempted to be taught to them year after year.
Sorry, but what in the actual fuck kind of excuse is this?
Re: San Francisco reverses 'equitable' ban on middle school algebra
#7Hot take (having taught algebra to disadvantaged youth in a previous life): a lot of kids who struggle with algebra do so because it is taught in a way that assumes a solid grasp of arithmetic. But many kids do not . I've worked with high schoolers who couldn't subtract, and weren't about to learn to, because they are completely burnt out on the concept from having it attempted to be taught to them year after year. B…
Honestly, what is the value of algebra if a child can’t even subtract?
The point is that they forbid the children that can subtract from learning algebra
Re: San Francisco reverses 'equitable' ban on middle school algebra
#8Hot take (having taught algebra to disadvantaged youth in a previous life): a lot of kids who struggle with algebra do so because it is taught in a way that assumes a solid grasp of arithmetic. But many kids do not . I've worked with high schoolers who couldn't subtract, and weren't about to learn to, because they are completely burnt out on the concept from having it attempted to be taught to them year after year. B…
> Algebra is just a term rewriting system following a small set of strict syntactical rules, and it can be taught that way successfully.
What are the percentage of kids who can't handle subtraction but can handle Algebra taught this way? (I don't have to squint very hard to cast subtraction in the light of "a term rewriting system following a small set of strict syntactical rules".)
Re: San Francisco reverses 'equitable' ban on middle school algebra
#9I truly believe limiting educational attainment for our smartest (or privileged, if you want) children is among the most obviously harmful things we can do as a society. It’s shocking to me that anyone can vote to make moves like that with a straight face. Of course we want everyone to get better education. But under-leveraging our highest potential children is a crime that takes future well-being from everyone.
Re: San Francisco reverses 'equitable' ban on middle school algebra
#10Hot take (having taught algebra to disadvantaged youth in a previous life): a lot of kids who struggle with algebra do so because it is taught in a way that assumes a solid grasp of arithmetic. But many kids do not . I've worked with high schoolers who couldn't subtract, and weren't about to learn to, because they are completely burnt out on the concept from having it attempted to be taught to them year after year. B…
>high schoolers who couldn't subtract, and weren't about to learn to, because they are completely burnt out on the concept from having it attempted to be taught to them year after year. Sorry, but what in the actual fuck kind of excuse is this?
Imagine trying to teach students year after year. Disgusting.
/s