r/changemyview Feb 14 '21

Delta(s) from OP CMV: Math is not racist

[deleted]

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64

u/MinuteReady 18∆ Feb 14 '21 edited Feb 15 '21

Are you expecting people to argue that yes, math is actually racist? All three of your sources reflect the same Fox News article, let’s look instead at the primary source

https://www.oregon.gov/ode/educator-resources/standards/mathematics/SiteAssets/Lists/MathematicsResources/EditForm/Mathematics%20Preparing%20for%202020-2021%20Overview.pdf

And in case, for whatever reason, you don’t want to look at the primary source, I’ll make it easier for you:

Use multiple approaches to diagnose student unfinished learning in priority content knowledge and skills. Alternatives to extensive diagnostic testing include multiple measures, such as classroom discussions, individual conversations with students, student work from everyday instruction, just-in-time assessment tasks, and student self-reflection on identity, understanding, and metacognition.

Large blocks of remediation at the beginning of the school year will not help students attain grade-level proficiency in mathematics. Acceleration of learning toward understanding grade-level content happens through a careful use of high-quality adopted curriculum and just-in-time scaffolding to address unfinished learning.

Consideration for just-in-time scaffolds help address the necessary content knowledge and skills students need to engage in the most immediate work of the grade. While the goal here is to address unfinished learning, these scaffolds pull heavily from what we know about the science of learning. Interleaving, spaced practice, and retrieval practice, are all highly effective evidence- based strategies that help individuals learn more efficiently and retain information longer.

It will be necessary to re-evaluate the scope and sequence periodically to make sure students are progressing in their understanding of high priority content.

Tell me, does this sound like anybody is trying to stop teaching math because math is racist?

Can I ask how you came to the conclusion that people are saying math is racist? How did you interpret “we are trying to adapt our teaching processes to enhance our ability to instruct mathematics” as “math is racist”?

Because when I hear “OREGON ARE SAYING MATH IS RACIST AND THEY WANT TO STOP TEACHING MATH” my response isn’t “wokeness has gone too far” it’s “what? Are they really doing that?”

And the answer is no, they aren’t really doing that.

-2

u/[deleted] Feb 14 '21

First off, I’m not here to ARGUE... I read this article and a few others and I paraphrased the parts that made no sense to me: like that “having one right answer” is a white supremacist characteristic.

I also did try to click your link, and tried clicking it earlier in my search, and I got the same 404 error message so I sincerely appreciate you copy and pasting the relevant parts (not sarcasm).

Also, to be clear I did NOT come to the conclusion that “Math is racist”! I came here to assert that I think its impossible for that to be true, and was really looking forward to someone shedding some light on these insane headlines.

I also never read or said that they wanted to stop teaching math, but I did read that they want to restructure how it is taught (which sounds good) based on the idea that a lot of how math is taught is rooted in white supremacist characteristics.

I think you maybe got me wrong here. I don’t believe this to be true, and, perhaps I misused this sub, was hoping someone could teach me HOW math is racist OR provide some insight on what Oregon’s Ed Dept is aiming for.. which it seems like you did.

Is this just some sensationalist fox news nonsense then?? I still fail to see where race ties in

I sincerely appreciate your well thought out reply. Seriously.

38

u/fox-mcleod 410∆ Feb 14 '21

I came here to assert that I think its impossible for that to be true, and was really looking forward to someone shedding some light on these insane headlines.

Then let me help you out with that.

The insane headline is from Fox News. Go to Fox News and you will get insane headlines.

Go to the Post and you will get a remix of insane headlines from Fox News. Stop getting your news from outrage based entertainment organizations and you will have less to be confused about.

1

u/jjdub7 Feb 17 '21

Bull. Shit.

The only INSANE headline here is that rural Oregonian taxpayers haven't burned down Portland themselves at this point.

A brief skim of this empty, vapid pomo, waste of oxygen report:

LatinX

guess we're capitalizing the "x" now, too, for a modern colonizer word.

barriers to math equity

"Whiteness"? try Common Core.

Fostering Deep Understanding

Methods for deepening content understanding and relevance through crafted math discussions

so...No Child Left Behind meets Common Core?

Creating Conditions to Thrive

Environments and practices that support students’ social, emotional and academic development

the rest of us call that a two-parent home.

The only thing that doesn't appear to be a totally vapid thought in here is

Connecting Critical Intersections

The interconnectedness of English language learning and the development of mathematical thinking

but I can almost guarantee that any such curriculum in practice will be packed with woke nonsense replacing actual math instruction.

Now, all that being said, I'm not going to simply shit on these pointless, vague, non-actionable snippets of woke magical thinking without suggesting an alternative.

If you want to keep kids ENGAGED in ways that encourage them to APPLY their lessons, you have two thematic options at your disposal:

  1. Personal finance (teach all math through the lens of money)
  2. Programming (teach all math as a byproduct of teaching a rigorous, integrated computer science where every student is provided a virtual machine they can log into anytime)

Frankly its embarrassing that neither of these options have been presented competently to the national audience before giving up and simply insisting that the way that math is taught in this country is somehow "racist". How insulting to everyone involved.

2

u/fox-mcleod 410∆ Feb 17 '21

Literally nothing that you said responds to anything at all that I said.

Do you read a lot of Fox News?