Sanity Prevails – Math is not “Racist”
Victory for logic-lovers across Ontario! By Kathryn O'Neill
Lawyers from the Canadian Constitutional Fund did an admirable job in protecting the public interest, especially the educational needs of children, in correcting the errors of an earlier ruling by a Divisional Court, which had prevented allowing a Math test for teachers. Apparently they had deemed such a test to be guilty of lacking “equity”.
The CCF lawyers noted several errors, including no cause or evidence proven for determining any disproportionate impact for those who failed the test, nor any test bias. One pointed out the test could be taken numerous times at no cost, and that by providing training in Math for any that failed, they would be better off (and so would the students!). The court was also reminded of the context of this test: to ensure high standards for both the students of the system and the teachers providing services.
The opposing lawyers had tried to argue that significant numbers of racialized groups tended to abandon their attempt if they failed the test beside their “white” counterparts (even though scores were kept confidential). Perhaps those lawyers are racist themselves? As the National Post article put it:
“It was clearly wrong to suggest Black and Indigenous teachers weren't as good at math as their white counterparts,” and “Cases like this make you wonder who the real racists are.”
https://nationalpost.com/opinion/michael-higgins-ontarios-math-test-wasnt-racist-the-court-was
It appears those lawyers were making up these so-called reasons for not re-taking the test; as one judge pointed out, there was no evidence for this; it was pure conjecture.
Ironic, that in analyzing the assorted figures regarding testing, re-testing, and those just apparently “giving up” and not re-testing, there was considerable attention being paid to mathematics and the analysis of figures. Imagine what kind of judges our system might turn out (or who would be barred from the profession by lack of skills) if the disadvantage of poor Math skills was perpetuated! The lawyer tried hard to suggest the statistical analysis should be ignored by the judges for equity concerns. In other words – Math is racist. If judges did that...why have court at all? Judgement by whimsy, is that the justice system we now want?
In my opinion, CCF lawyers’ strongest point was that allowing teachers to fail the test and go into the system anyway would actually perpetuate the disadvantage. One has to wonder – if a teacher was of a particular ethnic group (and they would often end up teaching that ethnic group) might they not only keep their own Math skills poor but likely perpetuate that disadvantage the most among their own ethnic group?
Kudos to Justices Doherty, Monahan, and Nordheimer (in a unanimous decision) for upholding the sanity of our culture in keeping standards for teachers alive and well! And for those teachers who fail the test? I suggest doing what we tell students to do: buckle down, sharpen your pencils, and hit the books again. A plant can count to 5 (the Venus Fly Trap is only triggered after 5 or more sensitized areas are stimulated); we must expect much higher standards for society to function well. After all, budgets don’t “balance themselves” as the current P.M. erroneously stated.
CCF Litigation Director, Christine Van Geyn stated:
“Justice Monahan’s decision better reflects what the guarantee of equality under the Charter actually means.”
https://theccf.ca/oca-agrees-math-tests-not-racist/
Court details aside – is there any common sense in having teachers insisting that their students study for, and pass, Math tests which they themselves, as grown educated adults could not? How hypocritical.
Thank you, judges, and lawyers for the CCF! A sweet victory. Maybe this year, overall Ontario Math scores will get out of the swamp of 50% marks.
Isn’t it refreshing when sanity prevails, and our Canadian Charter Rights are respected again? Savour the moment, parents!
Note: The Canadian Constitutional Fund is a registered charity (my favourite). Tax receipts provided, good for your Christmas donations to support our precious freedoms. (Your contribution amounts doubled by supporters - until the end of December). I am not affiliated with the CCF.
This is great news.