The confirmation bias is stunning, but why should it be surprising?

[Lux Interior]

Here in VA, a "controversy" has been brewing about an alleged plan by the state to eliminate all advanced math classes prior to 11th grade.

Making the rounds in conservative circles is the idea that VA intends to make all students take the same math classes through 10th grade in the name of "equity."

This seems to have come from their interpretation of some DOE language that is as clear as mud mixed together with the word "equity" which is, of course, the "Radical Left^™" code word for "We hate white people."

"In multiple rounds of video calls with reporters Monday, [VA DOE superintendent] Lane said this assertion is false. He said the initiative does not propose eliminating accelerated math classes, nor does it require all students in a grade to take the same math class no matter their level of ability."

But of course he's lying!

How do we know? Because the proposal is so outrageous that it must be true!

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/edu...story.html

I read the article, and then I looked at the comments. At the time, almost all of the comments were along the lines of "I still believe it because liberals hate successful people getting ahead."

Is that even confirmation bias, or just delusion?

[Ombligo]

The conservative math course rounds up to the nearest 11,780

[JoeH]

I forget who said/wrote it, but years ago I came across a quote about how among the US public there was a strong streak of egalitarianism that wanted no one to be better than anyone else in terms of education, ability, and so on. Over the years I have observed so many examples that fit that quote, so have to trouble understanding that this idea could gain traction without any facts behind it.

[DeusxMac]

The "fear" is that the perceived "meritocracy" will be swept aside and replaced with a system that standardizes on the "lowest common denominator".

In this particular iteration, that it will be decreed that there will be no math classes more advanced than those that can be "passed" by every student, regardless of an individual student's ability to master more advanced material.

[mrbigstuff]

Outrage is a pendulum.

We have All of that in blue state MA, and no one bats an eyelash.

[Speedy]

I’m good as long as they don’t require students to use Arabic numerals.

[pdq]

Speedy wrote:
I’m good as long as they don’t require students to use Arabic numerals.

:goodone: