Middle school algebra debate heats up on the Peninsula

. >>> WE COVERED GETTING ALGEBRA BACK INTO MIDDLE SCHOOL. THEY WERE DEEPLY CONCERNED THAT THEIR DISTRICT WAS MOVING IN THE WRONG DIRECTION. SO, DEVIN FEHLEY JOINS US WITH THOSE DETAILS AND MORE. ADD IT UP. >> Reporter: MY BIG TAKEAWAY FROM COVERING THE STORIES IS WHO KNEW? WHO KNEW DEBATES OVER MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL MATH COULD GENERATE SUCH DIVISION WITHIN A SCHOOL COMMUNITY. PEOPLE ON BOTH SIDES OF THE DEBATE BELIEVE THEY ARE DOING WHAT IS BEST FOR KIDS. THE REASON IS, THESE DECISIONS ARE SO HOTLY DEBATED IS BECAUSE THEY CAN SET KIDS UP FOR SUCCESS OR FAILURE IN MIDDLE SCHOOL, HIGH SCHOOL, COLLEGE AND BEYOND. >> THE ADVANCE MATH IN 7th GRADE WAS A STEPPING STONE INTO ALGEBRA ONE. >> Reporter: SHE IS A TEACHER AND PARENT. BOTH HALVES OF HER IDENTITY ARE IN AGREEMENT THAT THE CHANGES TO SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO SCHOOL DISTRICT IS THINKING ON MAKING ARE NOT A FORMULA FOR SUCCESS. >> AS AN EDUCATOR AND A MOM I WILL TRY MY BEST AS A MATH TEACHER TO HELP MY SON SUPPLEMENT WITH THOSE RESOURCES. HOWEVER, THIS IS NOT JUST ABOUT MY SON. IT IS ABOUT ALL OF MY STUDENTS. >> Reporter: WHERE GRACE TEACHES THE TOP MATH STUDENTS TAKE A SPECIAL SUMMER COURSE FOLLOWED BY AN ACCELERATED 7th GRADE MATH CLASS THAT SETS THEM UP FOR ALGEBRA. THE FIRST SIGN OF TROUBLE WAS WHEN THEY CUT THE SUMMER CLASS. >> I WOULD LIKE TO ASK WHY TAKEAWAY SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN SO BENEFICIAL AND SO CRUCIAL. >> Reporter: A SPOKESPERSON FOR THE SCHOOL SYSTEM WAS INSIST ANT THE DISTRICT IS NOT GETTING RID OF IT BUT CHANGING HOW STUDENTS GET THERE. STEERING MOST TOWARDS AN ACCELERATED 8th GRADE CLASS. THE SUPERINTENDENT SAYS THE DISTRICT'S GOAL IS TO QUOTE ENSURE THEY HAVE A GRASP OF MATH SKILLS BEFORE MOVING INTO ALGEBRA. >> Reporter: BUT MATH TEACHERS WHO SPENT DECADES IN THE CLASS ROOM SAY THE DISTRICT IS TINKERING WITH SOMETHING THAT IS NOT BROKEN. >> WITHOUT THE KIDS IN ADVANCED 7th GRADE BEFORE THEY GET INTO ALGEBRA THEY WILL NOT GET IT. >> Reporter: THE DISTRICT HAS TO MAKE A FINAL FORMAL DECISION ABOUT THE CHANGES. GRACE SAYS SHE WILL CONTINUE TO FIGHT FOR HER SON AND HER STUDENTS AGAINST A SYSTEM THAT SHE BELIEVES WILL NOT ADD UP TO SUCCESS. >> AND BEING ABLE TO GIVE ALL OF MY STUDENTACE I VOICE WHEN THEY CAN NOT BE HEARD. >> Reporter: THE DISTRICT IS STILL WORKING OUT THE DETAILS HOW TO IMPLEMENT THIS NEXT YEAR. OPPONENTS HOPE THERE IS STILL TIME TO CONVINCE THE DISTRICT TO CHANGE COURSE. >> OH, BOY. >> A TOPIC YOU DON'T WANT TO GET IN THE MIDDLE OF. STICKY. HOW DO THEY MEASURE SUCCESS? >> RIGHT NOW, NOT EVERY SINGLE 8th GRADER DOES ALGEBRA. THAT

Channel: KPIX | CBS NEWS BAY AREA

Views: 5,513

Keywords: South San Francisco, Algebra, Education

Id: n4bKgVqX7bQ

Length: 3min 12sec (192 seconds)

Published: Sat Apr 13 2024