EP. #250-02-California math culture war, Why?

Tech Zone With Paul Amadeus Lane

Jo Boaler, a Stanford University professor, and the nation’s most prominent expert on math education, is fighting for what she calls a more inclusive way of teaching. Skeptics fear her proposals will water down math and undermine a more equitable education system.
While Boaler is helping draft California’s latest math framework, a non-binding guide for how public schools in the most populous state should teach math, critics say she is misinterpreting studies and making bold assertions with scant evidence. The battle has arrived at the courts where the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD)’s controversial math placement and sequencing is being challenged.
Stephanie Lee, Senior Reporter, Chronicle of Higher Education, published piece assessing criticisms of the scholar, and positioning those criticisms within the fierce, broader battle over math-education standards.
She joins me to discuss