In an unusual turn of events, a Brooklyn middle school made a decision to drop the word ‘math’ from its name after a significant number of its students failed in the subject. The move has sparked a great deal of discussion, stirring both criticism and support from various quarters.
Math Dropped
In an unusual turn of events, a Brooklyn middle school made a decision to drop the word ‘math’ from its name after a significant number of its students failed in the subject. The move has sparked a great deal of discussion, stirring both criticism and support from various quarters. Is this a step towards acknowledging a problem and seeking a solution or a desperate act to hide a glaring issue? Let’s delve into the facts and understand the whole saga.
Math Mystery
Imagine you are the parent of a student at The Math & Science Exploratory School in Brooklyn. Over the past few years, you’ve watched with concern as the math scores of the school significantly dropped by 26% since 2018. In response to this disheartening decline, the school system has stepped in with a surprising “solution.” Starting now, your child will be attending the newly christened ‘The Exploratory School’.
School Rebranding
Indeed, a surprising move from District 15’s Community Education Council saw them unanimously deciding to retract the STEM-focused label from MS 447. This decision diverted focus from addressing the root causes of the decline in maths scores. However, school administrators have stressed that this change doesn’t actually reflect a reduction in the school’s commitment to teaching mathematics.
Mathematical Misnomer
This decline can be traced directly back to a decision made by the CEC in 2018. Under the influence of the de Blasio administration, they undertook a bold measure to eliminate selective middle-school admissions. After this change, many prestigious middle schools found that their student’s academic scores began to fall.
Academic Downfall
Among those affected was the renowned Brooklyn Middle School for Science and Mathematics. The school, known for its rigorous curriculum and high-achieving students, suddenly experienced an alarming drop in math proficiency rates. This drastic turn of events led the school administration to take an unprecedented step – they decided to remove ‘math’ from the school’s name.
Math Misery
Imagine a school, once the hub for high-achieving students, suddenly thrust into a lottery admissions system. The result? An unprecedented wave of students, not quite ready for the daunting rigors of advanced academics.
Academic Shockwave
That’s precisely the case experienced by a certain middle school in Brooklyn, which saw a significant reduction in math scores following a change in their admissions policy. Due to this, the school was compelled to take an unforeseen step; they removed the word ‘math’ from their name, a move that has sparked considerable discussion within the education community.
Mathematical Meltdown
Recent years have seen a significant shift in the educational landscape across Brooklyn. Families, disenchanted with traditional public schools, are seeking alternative learning spaces for their children. These alternatives, which include charter schools, Catholic institutions, and other non-public establishments, provide parents with a wider array of choices.
Moving Away
Parents are expressing greater interest in alternatives to the public-school model, a transformation influenced by several factors. These factors include curriculum concerns, disagreement with the pedagogical approach, and the pursuit of a more specialized education that aligns with a family’s values and a student’s skills and interests.
Staff Adaptation
Bottom line: Where 95% of MS 447 seventh-graders scored a passing math grade on end-of-year tests in 2018, only 69% did last year.
It’s not just the students dealing with this change. Teachers and other school staff members have also found themselves adapting to this new reality. Some have transitioned, while others have navigated these changes learning to embrace the new regime’s directive.
Protecting Girls?
Principal Arin Rusch of MS 447 argues that the label ‘Math & Science’ can be seen as limited in scope, given how the curriculum has progressively matured and broadened in its approach. Rusch also makes the claim the old name scares off girls, however, others have dismissed this claim as sexist and outdated.
Contrasting Opinions
While Rusch believes the previous name repelled female students, there is significant pushback against this viewpoint. Critics consider it to be an oversimplification grounded in antiquated gender stereotypes.
Digging Deeper Into The Claim
An important question arises from this situation: Is associating the name ‘math’ with lower interest among girls more of a perpetuation of gender biases than a research-backed fact?
The ‘Math’ Dilemma
The perception of math as intimidating often stems from culture and societal pressures rather than any inherent aversion. The worldwide difference in math performance between males and females is, on average, relatively minimal. In the U.S, according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress, no significant gender difference was found in math scores among 4th and 8th graders.
A Word of Caution
Although attempts to create a positive, appealing learning environment for all are commendable, they must not be made at the expense of perpetuating unhelpful stereotypes.
“They’re Taking Everything Away!”: 18 Everyday Items Liberals Advocate Banning
We’ve all heard the whispers of some everyday items that might just be on the verge of becoming extinct, thanks to our eco-loving liberal friends. Well, we’re looking at the rumors, the truths, and the chuckles that come along with them. Of course, this is all in good fun, but who knows? Maybe, someday, these items will become as outdated as floppy disks!
“They’re Taking Everything Away!”: 18 Everyday Items Liberals Advocate Banning
“Someone Else Is Running the Country for Him”: President Biden Accidently Reads Out Teleprompter Instructions During Speech
“Reverse Racism Doesn’t Exist, Idiot”: Biden’s Praise for Kamala Harris Raises Eyebrows
President Biden has claimed that Vice President Kamala Harris is fighting for freedom and that the Biden administration has rebuilt the economy. Understandably, his comments have left some people confused.
“Reverse Racism Doesn’t Exist, Idiot”: Biden’s Praise for Kamala Harris Raises Eyebrows
“I’d Like to See Him Pass a Polygraph”: Trump Fails at Basic Math and Rambles About Passing Meaningless Competency Test
According to NBC, Donald Trump has given a lengthy response to a question regarding age concerns. The former president and Republican presidential nominee candidate, who often says Biden is too old for his job at age 80, is 77.
“Seems Like Pure Racism”: House Approves Marjorie Taylor Greene’s Amendment to Cut the Secretary of Defense’s Pay to $1
The House has approved Marjorie Taylor Greene’s amendment to cut Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin’s salary to $1.
“In the Far Future, White People Won’t Exist”: Biden Says White People Will Soon Be a Minority in America
President Joe Biden has boldly claimed that the United States will soon become “a minority-White European country.”