New math and biology standards are a bold initiative and a step
in the right direction
Kudos to members of the Morgan Hill Unified School District Board of Education for implementing curriculum changes earlier this month which will require eighth-graders and high school freshmen to study algebra and biology, respectively.
The new educational requirements align with state grade-level standards implemented several years ago.
Through the study of algebra, a student develops an understanding of the symbolic language of mathematics and sciences. Students learn algebraic skills and concepts they can use in a variety of problem-solving situations.
The study of biology and life sciences helps students learn the basic life processes of plans and animals. They learn about cell biology, genetics, ecology, evolution and physiology.
State education leaders adopted more rigorous academic standards more than two decades ago fearful of a growing “tide of mediocrity” in our local schools. Reform started. One of the biggest changes was the adoption of stricter content standards for key subjects such as math, science and English.
One particular concern for parents and education watchdog groups has been, however, that state education officials have given local school trustees the discretion to conform to the standards. The state department of education offers the standards as simple guidelines with only very few mandatory requirements, such as passage of the high school exit exam.
So we applaud districts like the MHUSD which willingly put themselves under the strict requirement raising student expectations and becoming more competitive with the educational standards of other countries which require mastery of both subjects well before the ninth grade. In Latin American and European countries most high school students are required to master calculus before graduating from high school. They’re also required to study physics and chemistry.
We remind district officials that while the standards describe what to teach, they, fortunately, don’t describe how to teach it. They respect local school control to present the curriculum in different ways as many students come from a variety of economic and social backgrounds and teaching modalities. It’s reassuring to know that those students who struggle or who are learning English as a second language will be offered remedial classes in the summer to help them learn the subjects.
The effects of these changes will be a higher passing rate for the high school exit exam, which requires knowledge of sixth and seventh-grade math and basic algebra.
A word of caution for district leadership is to always be inclusive when making curriculum changes, no matter how necessary. It’s always wise, and changes are better accepted, when all those affected by them, including teachers and students, are consulted well before implementing them.
