Editor,
Jan Vickers continues to wage war on LBUSD students that want to pursue science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).
Last year she voted to eliminate geometry at Thurston. Last week, she voted to eliminate extra weighting for students taking Honors Algebra 2. Her reasoning is that the University of California system will limit the number of honors classes for which they will accept the extra grade point average bump. However, the vast majority of LBUSD graduates will be applying to other in-state and out-of-state private and public universities that will continue to consider the weighted grade. That is why Capistrano Valley, Placentia/Yorba Linda, Fullerton and other Orange County districts will continue to offer weighted honors courses. In fact, some districts like Placentia/Yorba Linda are actually expanding their honors offerings. Their position is to let the colleges and universities decide whether to accept the extra weighting, thus maximizing their students’ opportunity to gain admission.
Ms. Vickers’ most inappropriate attack was her comment at the last board meeting regarding the new dead-end math pathway the district updated. She had the audacity to say that a fifth-grade students who wants to be an “engineer” may want to “pursue dance” since they have not been provided with “the background for their potential.” Concluding that the district needs to do some “coaching or advising” of these students.
I guess in her mind a kid who dreams of being an engineer is in serious need of help.
The days of the horse and buggy are gone. It is a brave new STEM world, Ms. Vickers, and some students, my son included, love math and science. Students who love dance, theater, music, sports, etc., should be allowed to purse their passion, and so should my son. No, Ms. Vickers, my son does not need “coaching” or “advising” from you or the district. He loves math and science. What he needs is board members that will support student interests in math and science. You certainly are not one of them.
David Flores, Laguna Beach.
The author is a former interim assistant superintendent for the Los Angeles County Office of Education.
