The Board of Education voted unanimously today to formally oppose a plan by California State University (CSU) to require a fourth year of high school math for incoming freshmen, saying it would create undue barriers for students of color.
The CSU Board of Trustees is scheduled to consider a proposal next month that would expand eligibility requirements beginning in 2023. Currently, incoming CSU freshmen typically satisfy the three-year math requirement by taking Algebra I and II and Geometry. The proposal would require another year-long course, such as calculus, statistics or computer science.
Board President Mónica García, who authored the measure, and Board Members Jackie Goldberg and Kelly Gonez, who co-sponsored it, said they are concerned the additional requirement would impact Latino, African American, Filipino and Native American students who have limited access to advanced math courses.
“Our students should have equitable access to college,” Superintendent Austin Beutner said. “We call on the CSU Chancellor and Trustees to work with Los Angeles Unified and other under-resourced districts to ensure that our graduates are able to pursue their dream of a college education.”
“We must continue to increase skills for workforce readiness through college readiness in California. At the same time, we must lift access to opportunity and higher education,” Board President García said. “Let us continue to work on the pathway toward college and support investments in all levels of education.”
“Since California is the fifth-largest economy in the world, they should not be thinking of ways to exclude students,” Board Member Goldberg said. “Instead, CSU should be doing everything possible to increase access to a higher education.”
“Every day, our schools are working to ensure all of our students graduate ready for college and careers,” Board Member Gonez said. “We implore the Cal State system to avoid unilaterally instituting new barriers to accessing college for our students.”
“One factor driving CSU’s proposal to increase math requirements for admission is undoubtedly to increase expectations for all kids, which I wholeheartedly support,” Board Vice President Nick Melvoin said. “Unfortunately, this proposal is not based in evidence of what leads to success, and it may have inequitable, unintended consequences for the students of Los Angeles.”
“As a former math teacher, I am opposed to requiring a fourth year of math at this time,” Board Member Dr. George J. McKenna III said. “School districts would need to review and change credit, course and graduation requirements to align with this modification. What courses would we replace? What is the academic value or outcome on college completion? This extra class should not be a potential barrier to graduation for students not attending a CSU/UC.”
“In 2005, the Board of Education passed a resolution that would ensure all students graduate college- and career-ready,” Board Member Scott M. Schmerelson said. “Today, we continue with this commitment and call upon the CSU Chancellor and Board of Trustees to provide access to an excellent education for all our students. Every student needs and deserves to have a post-high school educational experience at a four-year college, community college or a trade and technical school.”