Math Class Labels Needn’t Be Harmful
* We were alarmed to read in “Ventura’s All-Girl Math Classes Pass Test on Bias,†March 8, that the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights suggested all-girl math sections be renamed by using descriptions such as classes for students “who lack confidence in their ability to do math,†or “classes for the mathematically challenged.â€
It is true that the reason for creating all-girl sections is a concern over a gender gap in math achievement and performance. However, to give such a derogatory label to all-girl sections would instill in children the erroneous idea that math ability is solely a function of genes and gender.
If labels other than “all-girl†must be used, how about “classes for the mathmatically underserved.†At least that label is less harmful and more accurate.
MEG MILNE MOULTON
WHITNEY RANSOME
Concord, Mass.
Meg Milen Moulton and Whitney Ransome are executive directors of the National Coalition of Girls’ Schools.
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