Representative Mike Garcia (CA-25) and fellow California Republican lawmakers sent a letter to California State Board of Education President Darling-Hammond sharing concerns over the proposed updates to the state’s mathematics framework. The board has postponed their final decision on the new framework until next May.  

In the letter, lawmakers expressed their concern over the proposed framework that would phase out options for students to enter advanced mathematics and would require all students to study mathematics at the same level through the high school sophomore level. The lawmakers argued that the one-size-fits-all approach would be damaging to students of all backgrounds and hurt America’s global competitiveness.

“Advancing STEM education is a first order concern for our nation in building the foundations of future technological advancement and innovation. If we want to maintain our competitive edge with the world in this field, we must allow and encourage students to learn at an accelerated pace if they have the capability to do so. These are the students that will design our nation’s future infrastructure, launch rockets to new planets, and innovate the next frontier of computing technology,” the lawmakers wrote. 

The lawmakers noted California’s role as the home for several prominent STEM-oriented companies and facilities as well as key developers of the commercial space industry. 

“California sets the standard for the STEM field throughout the United States. If we do not give our future generations the tools they need to excel while they are young, we will quickly fall behind on the global stage. It has been proven time and time again that when we modify our education system to benefit the skills of each individual, our students thrive – and just the same, we know that a one-size-fits-all approach to education does not work,” said Garcia. 

The lawmakers encouraged the California State Board of Education to weigh the potential setbacks for the future of California and the United States should the new math framework be considered in the upcoming year.

Garcia was joined by Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (CA-23), and Representatives Young Kim (CA-39), Darrell Issa (CA-50), Jay Obernolte (CA-8), Michelle Steel (CA-48), Ken Calvert (CA-42), David G. Valadao (CA-21), Doug LaMalfa (CA-01), Tom McClintock (CA-04) and Devin Nunes (CA-22).

Click here to read the letter.