California: school suffers drop in math scores after teaching students to be 'activists'

San Leandro High School in California has a math proficiency rate of 19% and a science proficiency rate of 21%, well below the state average of 30% in both categories, according to US News and World Report.

DailyWire attributed these dismal ratings to the implementation of a "Social Justice Academy", which the school says is a rigorous program "that focuses on critical pedagogy, social justice, ethnic studies, gender studies, intersectionality, and social and emotional skills development, among other things."

However, this program is being harshly criticized by some academics who say the performance in the core curriculum is suffering as students are distracted by the other issues, namely certain social justice causes. According to Parents Defending Education director Erika Sanzi:

Social Justice Academy

According to official program information, students are taught:

During their senior year, academy students must become activists. They must develop and execute campaigns for the fight against oppressions, "that can have a global reach." They are also encouraged to reinvent themselves and their communities to fit "outside the master narrative" and to utilize "transformative solidarity" to foster an inclusive society.

The academy started in 2006, but the founders focused on themes such as multiculturalism and lacked the "holistic humanization and critical consciousness" that students needed. The program has been promoting new learning methods, including new plans such as the development of activism to meet these needs .

The vast majority of the school's students - 92% - are minorities, and about 57% are considered economically disadvantaged.

Parents complain about "ultra-progressive" concepts

Public school enrollment has plummeted, having lost 1.3 million students since 2020. California enrollment is down 1.7%. Many parents simply pulled their children out of public school in favor of alternatives such as homeschooling because of progressive indoctrination by teachers.

California is not the only place where school districts have adopted"social justice" inspired curricula. Across the country, many parents have complained that their young children are learning ultra-progressive concepts in school, including issues of race and gender identity.

In Rhode Island, one month ago, a mother complained to her child's school district after they prohibited her participation in secret meetings conducted by the school in conjunction with the Black, Indigenous and People of Color Advisory Board (BIPOC), all funded by taxpayers.

"Closed to the public-parents not welcome" is the message the mother received about attending the meeting.