According to Don, the class was not canceled simply because it is a math class but because the district could not find a credentialed teacher to teach it. He went as far as stating that the teacher who used to teach the class had passed away, without giving any details on when the last time (s)he had taught it (maybe not in recent years).
This is not some random class. It is a fundamental STEM class that 43% of Paly and Gunn students on last week’s math survey expressed direct interest in taking.
Should it not be among the district’s top priorities to ensure that they are appropriately staffed with credentialed teachers for classes that are important and in which students have already enrolled? This is certainly a skill set that all other local school districts have mastered, as they all offer this class.
Students were given a different explanation for the cancellation. An e-mail stated: “This shift will allow students and families to select the course time that best meets their needs, expanding their options.” No one needs the district’s permission to take this class at any time they want. What the district is responsible for is offering the class during scheduled school hours.
However, Don inadvertently disclosed the real reason why he hasn’t been able to find a teacher. He has been looking for someone to teach multi-variant. The topic is called multi-variable calculus. A variant (syn. change in conditions) is what we need at the district to address this class cancellation.