Why do state officials want to create legislation that diminishes our students’ education? Do they doubt our young people are smart enough to learn something as basic as advanced algebra, a subject required by our state universities?
State Representative Michelle Udall thinks so evidently because she has spoken in support of House Bill 2278 that allows an “alternative pathway” as a replacement of the high school algebra requirement. Should this bill pass, a less-demanding alternative, such as personal finance or business mathematics, would be allowed as a substitute for a second year of algebra.
As someone who taught in the German public school system in Essen-Steele, Germany for one year as an exchange teacher and more than a decade later for two years in the Japanese public school as a Phoenix Sister City teacher, I was impressed with those countries’ rigorous academic standards – that have continued to this day. In both Germany and Japan, the students learn algebra and geometry by grades 7 and 8. In high school, they learn trigonometry and calculus. Obviously, their math instruction far exceeds what is offered in Arizona district schools.
In 2005, in a 9-1 vote, the Arizona State Board of Education reduced the passing scored, required for graduation, of the Arizona Instrument to Measure Standards (AIMS test) to 59% in reading and to 60% in math. Only Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne voted against this action.
To top off the ridiculousness of the School Board’s vote, soon thereafter, the state senators and representatives passed legislation that allowed school grades to be used to increase the AIMS scores by as much as 25 percent. This encouraged students to take classes from teachers considered “easy graders.” With that, it became almost impossible to not pass the AIMS test.
Nevertheless, Tom Horne persevered to make sure the students had every opportunity to measure up to what were truly reasonable standards. He made sure all schools received funds for tutoring students who needed extra help to pass the AIMs. Sadly, the students did not show up for the tutoring sessions. Probably they needed some encouragement from adults to do what was in their best interest.
Finally, Tom came up with a way for at least some students to persevere and do their best on the test. He established a scholarship through the Board of Regents that qualified all students who scored at the “excellence” level on the AIMS repeatedly to receive a full-paid tuition scholarship to any of the three Arizona universities. That opportunity ended soon after Tom Horne left office as Superintendent.
In 2014, the AIMS was replaced by the AzMERIT and the requirement to pass it to graduate was eliminated. Tuition scholarships became based on grades and a student’s “unique identity,” rather than excellent performance on the state test.
For too long legislators such as Representative Michelle Udall and many school officials have made decisions that lowered the academic bar for the students.
House Bill 2278 would only add to the academic failure that already exists for students who would and could do better if only given the appropriate incentives. Whereas this bill has already passed the House, urge your state senators to vote “no.”