As usual, Kelley’s cartoon is confused at best. His equation is meaningless. The kid’s comment is hard to interpret, and I’m not sure it’s worth the trouble to try to make sense of it. The general tone of the cartoon seems to be opposed to math equity for some reason, perhaps because (in Kelley’s view) math equity would disadvantage a white kid. But since Kelley often works with dog whistles, it’s hard to pin that down. Many disguntled reactionaries feel that any move towards equality works to their disadvantage, so perhaps that’s what’s going on. Anyway, I’m a big fan of good math education. Yes, it’s important for jobs, it’s important for society that as many people as possible have a good foundation in math and science, and math is the most entertaining game ever invented. If kids don’t like it, that’s because they haven’t been taught well. Education should not be punitive. We shouldn’t always over and over again telling students what they have failed to learn, we should be showing them what they have learned and what they can do with their new knowledge.
Math can never be “racist” because it is universal – everyone uses it. Saying math is racist is demeaning to the people that others think can’t understand the concept.
You’re out of your league here, Mr. Kelly. I’ve taught for the last 35 years. Math Equity is not exactly a new idea. Bob Moses – the civil rights activist – pioneered the Algebra Project 40 years ago in Cambridge Mass. He developed a curriculum to teach math literacy to low income African American students. He was successful in getting students of color into(and passing)honors math classes in high schools.
It’s not a terribly complicated idea. Anyone can learn math, but not everyone learns math the same way. As a teacher it’s my job to get to their level. I don’t see the problem with that.
Skelley, of course, panders to the folks who are feeling “replaced” (or at least “replaceable”). In this case, the little white kid is standing in for them. If EVERYONE got equally good math instruction, then he’d have no advantage in the job market, which is (I think Skelley’s saying) patently unfair.
Anyone remember Jaime Escalante (the teacher in East LA who challenged his students (many hispanic, and some female) to succeed at Calculus)? Not Kelley, I guess.
Anyone remember the subjects of the book, “Hidden Figures”? Not Kelley, I guess.
Anyone remember the women who helped crack the Enigma codes in WW2? Not Kelley, I guess.
I guess Kelley would never think of reading something like this:
Now that I’ve done a tad of research, I see that “Math Equity” refers to treating each student according to his or her needs, rather than letting the better learners get bored and the slower learners get frustrated. So Kelly is saying that if you add some unspecified variable to this approach, you get nothing?
I have just looked up what “Math Equity” is about. It looks to me as if Kelly is suggesting that if minorities are allowed to learn math, “whites” won’t be able to compete with them.
So is he saying that “white” kids are unable to learn math?
GiantShetlandPony about 3 years ago
Is it just me, or does this not add up?
Darsan54 Premium Member about 3 years ago
Thanks Donald.
Kilrwat Premium Member about 3 years ago
If Kelly had actually bothered to read up on Math Equity, he might actually find it reasonable.
lonecat about 3 years ago
Check out the Algebra Project.
lonecat about 3 years ago
As usual, Kelley’s cartoon is confused at best. His equation is meaningless. The kid’s comment is hard to interpret, and I’m not sure it’s worth the trouble to try to make sense of it. The general tone of the cartoon seems to be opposed to math equity for some reason, perhaps because (in Kelley’s view) math equity would disadvantage a white kid. But since Kelley often works with dog whistles, it’s hard to pin that down. Many disguntled reactionaries feel that any move towards equality works to their disadvantage, so perhaps that’s what’s going on. Anyway, I’m a big fan of good math education. Yes, it’s important for jobs, it’s important for society that as many people as possible have a good foundation in math and science, and math is the most entertaining game ever invented. If kids don’t like it, that’s because they haven’t been taught well. Education should not be punitive. We shouldn’t always over and over again telling students what they have failed to learn, we should be showing them what they have learned and what they can do with their new knowledge.
Radish the wordsmith about 3 years ago
Keep em stupid so they will vote republican, says Kelley.
gcottay about 3 years ago
Q: Why does Kelly have a problem with students learning math?A: He depends on ignorance.
Rise22 about 3 years ago
Math can never be “racist” because it is universal – everyone uses it. Saying math is racist is demeaning to the people that others think can’t understand the concept.
DrDon1 about 3 years ago
Cartoon from a simple-minded fear monger!
ChristopherBurns about 3 years ago
You’re out of your league here, Mr. Kelly. I’ve taught for the last 35 years. Math Equity is not exactly a new idea. Bob Moses – the civil rights activist – pioneered the Algebra Project 40 years ago in Cambridge Mass. He developed a curriculum to teach math literacy to low income African American students. He was successful in getting students of color into(and passing)honors math classes in high schools.
It’s not a terribly complicated idea. Anyone can learn math, but not everyone learns math the same way. As a teacher it’s my job to get to their level. I don’t see the problem with that.
mr_sherman Premium Member about 3 years ago
I thought math equity was about encouraging girls into math and sciences.
Concretionist about 3 years ago
Skelley, of course, panders to the folks who are feeling “replaced” (or at least “replaceable”). In this case, the little white kid is standing in for them. If EVERYONE got equally good math instruction, then he’d have no advantage in the job market, which is (I think Skelley’s saying) patently unfair.
Baslim the Beggar Premium Member about 3 years ago
Math Equity: Hmmm…..
Anyone remember Jaime Escalante (the teacher in East LA who challenged his students (many hispanic, and some female) to succeed at Calculus)? Not Kelley, I guess.
Anyone remember the subjects of the book, “Hidden Figures”? Not Kelley, I guess.
Anyone remember the women who helped crack the Enigma codes in WW2? Not Kelley, I guess.
I guess Kelley would never think of reading something like this:
https://www.mashupmath.com/blog/famous-african-american-mathematicians
Just BS from Kelley.
Boise Ed Premium Member about 3 years ago
I was hoping someone here would say what “Math Equity” is.
Boise Ed Premium Member about 3 years ago
Now that I’ve done a tad of research, I see that “Math Equity” refers to treating each student according to his or her needs, rather than letting the better learners get bored and the slower learners get frustrated. So Kelly is saying that if you add some unspecified variable to this approach, you get nothing?
BE THIS GUY about 3 years ago
Hey Kelley, how many black political cartoonists are there?
john_chubb about 3 years ago
Does Skelly suggest that our first graders get to work in the sweatshops?!
gammaguy about 3 years ago
I have just looked up what “Math Equity” is about. It looks to me as if Kelly is suggesting that if minorities are allowed to learn math, “whites” won’t be able to compete with them.
So is he saying that “white” kids are unable to learn math?