Thoughts on Math

Posted: April 19, 2022

The State of Florida has made the news recently by banning several math textbooks because they “referred to critical race theory”, or for the “unsolicited addition of Social Emotional Learning (SEL) in mathematics”.

Does Florida really believe that math books will teach CRT? And if so, why? Is there actually evidence to back Governor DeSantis' claim? And even if there are diversity and equity focused elements in those textbooks, what is it that the Governor and his appointees fear? Are they worried that children may learn to challenge the prejudice that they experience, or that they might question bigotries that they may encounter in their lives outside of school?

Are Florida’s elected leaders really opposed to curricula that support students’ social and emotional learning (SEL)? Are they really opposed to preventing bullying, opposed to giving students skills to cope with stress, and opposed to teaching kids how to navigate difficult social situations safely? Or is this again a way to clear the path for continued prejudice and unfairness?

But mostly, I wonder if the real intent is just to weaken math instruction in general. Math is a critical subject because it fundamentally teaches students to look at the world in a dispassionate, logical, evidence-driven way. It teaches one to use facts and logic, rather than dogma and belief. It teaches critical thinking skills, and rational thought. Perhaps this is the real reason — a populace without logic, without critical thinking skills, and without an understanding that some things are provably true, and other things are provably false — is more susceptible to being co-opted by power-hungry and dollar-hungry individuals who do not have their well-being in mind.

If I am elected to a new term on the Board of Education, I promise to keep our math and science curricula strong, and based on good educational practice. I will seek programs that foster in our students the ability to think critically, to continue learning, and to build on that knowledge to create amazing and successful future careers.