High schools seeking clarification on UC’s new math policies

The University of California faculty has twice this year reiterated the high school math courses necessary for admissions. Despite this, there has been widespread confusion among school counselors, students, and the president of the State Board of Education due to a lack of specific details.

There is a growing demand from high schools for clarity on whether their math course offerings align with UC requirements. Counselors, based on student interests and intended majors, are seeking guidance on recommended courses. Students, on the other hand, are concerned about the impact of taking less Algebra-intensive math classes like statistics and data science on their chances of admission.

In a letter to the UC Board of Regents dated July 15, State Board of Education President Linda Darling-Hammond emphasized the need for schools and districts to have “clear, timely and consistent information” to help students and families understand the consequences of their choices.

Following pressure from a regents committee, the University of California Office of the President has committed to providing additional clarity on the math policies by the end of the summer.

Regent Alfonso Salazar stressed the importance of approaching the issue from a student’s perspective, highlighting the concerns and anxieties students face regarding the math requirements.

A contentious issue revolves around the debate on whether AP Statistics or data science can substitute for Algebra 2. While these courses were initially accepted as substitutes, recent decisions indicate a shift away from this practice, raising concerns among STEM professors about the adequacy of these alternative math courses.