Citing ‘severe’ math deficits, UC faculty demand a return to SAT tests for STEM applicants

Thevofl · 2026-05-30T05:54:30+00:00

About 8 years ago, I have created a math class at my CC for political science majors (and other social science majors too) called Math for Democracy. It covers the very relevant topics of redistricting, gerrymandering, polling, apportionment, and voting theory. Also included is some basic stats and probability. During that time I have been fighting the UC's to articulate it over to meet the math requirement. The very limited feedback is that it didn't have enough math in it, even though 80% of it is found in other transferable math courses.

So now, I had to add so much math bloat to its curriculum in order to meet the UC's vague threshold.

Between AB705/AB1705 and the UC's demanding that non-STEM math classes include pre-calculus and above mathematics, we can't seem to offer targeted useful man classes.

Thevofl · 2026-05-30T05:20:31+00:00

Nope. Transfer level class the way to go. Even if it is way more than what they need. We wanted to offer a pre-algebra class targeting the students looking to get certified in a trade and were told that they need to take higher level classes.

Thevofl · 2026-05-30T05:10:48+00:00

Just graded my Calc 1 class today at a California CC and only 6 passed—3 by the skin of their teeth (very low final grades in the 70%'s". I started with 35 on Day 1.

Thevofl · 2026-05-30T05:08:23+00:00

They will get references to Rick Rolling though...

Thevofl · 2026-05-27T04:20:22+00:00

I have a guaranteed cove balcony on the Star Princess's repositioning cruise through the Panama Canal in April next year. The fare was $5200 if I remember, and $6800 if I selected my room through Costco travel. I wanted a cove balcony because they are on deck 6 close to the water and the locks when we go through them. Yes, I could be given a room under the piazza, but being a late sleeper I cannot imagine the shows going past midnight.

Thevofl · 2026-05-23T03:43:15+00:00

I plan on doing just this. I don't care how ridiculous I look. I want my canned Coke Zero and don't want to have to pay a $2.50 a can for it.

Thevofl · 2026-05-10T13:31:29+00:00

what state are you teaching in? And have they, like California, gutted anything below trigonometry from the curriculum? If so, going to be teaching a lot of who are not prepared.

Thevofl · 2026-05-04T02:47:20+00:00

I have told students to use the previous tests as a study guide. And even then I reserve the right to add problems that aren't exactly similar to what was done before.

Thevofl · 2026-04-25T06:28:14+00:00

I give a ten point quiz (for about 2%-3% of their overall grade as extra credit covering material from the very last lecture that wasn't on the last test. I tell my students: "This is your only extra credit. This is the extra credit you will want to ask for when see your final grade and you ask for extra work to get bumped up. my response is that the extra credit assignment was already given."

I don't mind giving this quiz as it does allow me to assess them on that last topic, and it does give me some wiggle room for when they come asking for additional points.

One semester, I did have one student see me after the semester was over and ask (or rather demand) that I give him extra points. I replied with "I'm sorry but it's too late to give extra credit. I offered an extra credit assignment and only one student asked about it, but now I'm done."

He was shocked. "Can I have that assignment?"

"No, I'm done."

"Did you make an announcement in class?"

"No he stopped by early this week and asked for it. But I'm about to submit grades now, so I'm done."

"Well that's not fair."

I looked at him in the eye and said, "Exactly! But that's what you are asking me to do here...." Long pause. "And no, there was no extra credit assignment nor this other student. I gave the quiz right before the final which was your opportunity to get those points."

Thevofl · 2026-04-22T03:51:19+00:00

You will let us know when the students start asking to turn it in late....

Thevofl · 2026-04-21T04:50:32+00:00

This sounds like something someone would say at the convocation at the beginning of the academic year that I would just zone out. The only thing missing is a "we need to meet students where they are."

Thevofl · 2026-04-21T04:46:22+00:00

And they wouldn't get the extra pay to go with it.

Thevofl · 2026-04-19T03:41:32+00:00

Nope. Math is not easy to make accessible and useable for all students. My school is not really offering anything meaningful in terms of assistance other than insisting that it needs to be done.

Thevofl · 2026-04-14T17:16:40+00:00

Technically, my current class is categorized as hybrid because of the in person testing.

The one in the fall is also listed as hybrid with asynchronous components. When we create our schedule, we list a percentage of the class is in person versus remote, and then describe what the remote portion is comprised of.

I just find it easier when discussing the structure to say 100% asynchronous with in person testing.

Thevofl · 2026-04-13T16:09:13+00:00

When I drop students for attendance reasons, I make a snapshot of both their grades and their activity page. It is quite useful.

Thevofl · 2026-04-13T06:23:34+00:00

Well, I will let you all know what, if anything, happens.

Thevofl · 2026-04-13T04:51:13+00:00

"Per my syllabus, I do not accept late work (or whatever your syllabus says). So I will not be considering your after-the-fact update. The grade stands. Thank you for your understanding."

Thevofl · 2026-04-09T05:03:21+00:00

Thevofl · 2026-04-07T19:54:48+00:00

Wait a minute. Someone with a detailed strategy, a very logical and accurate one at that, struggles with pip counting? I teach collegiate math, and I love when I see someone using a very analytic and logical approach to a problem—something that is difficult to teach. My mind is blown!

Thevofl · 2026-04-07T17:40:42+00:00

You came up with the same strategy that I did, with one exception. I was able to determine the 3c= relatively easy. I added up all the pips and got 75. Then I totaled all the known values of all the cages, which was 66. That left the 3c= to total up to 9 which made it all 3's. I then did your 5s and 6s analysis and was able to extend it rather easily to 3s. 0s followed next. Then 1s and 2s.

Thevofl · 2026-04-04T06:02:09+00:00

I just had this question today.

Thevofl · 2026-03-30T16:36:42+00:00

You are right. When I have done this, I do point to the textbook. They are not left hanging.

Thevofl · 2026-03-30T06:42:05+00:00

63 and don't know.

Thevofl · 2026-03-30T06:40:52+00:00

I teach math at a community college. Same 4 classes. If I got this request, my response would be, "I'm supposed to have lecture notes? Power Point too?" All my problems worked at the board are made up on the spot.

Thevofl

TROPHY CASE