Los Angeles Unified is encouraging STEM schools to get a certificate indicating that the school meets high standards set by the district.
An independent group will be commissioned to study CSU's proposal to require a fourth year of high school math in freshman admissions.
CSU still plans to require four years of high school math for freshman admissions, effective in 2027, but will delay formal vote to 2022.
For years the need for trained and qualified teachers has been growing in schools across California, especially in math and science.
A series of activities designed to teach math concepts inspired by children’s books is being piloted as part of a statewide early math initiative.
Many schools serving low-income students already fail to offer all the courses needed for admission to CSU campuses.
U.S. math scores have not budged significantly since 2003 on the worldwide assessment.
Opponents include state leaders and activists, who reiterated fears that the change will harm black, Latino and low-income students.
Math scores for Latino students have more than doubled at Robbins Elementary since 2014-15.
After much controversy, the revised admissions proposal would start with students now in the fifth grade.
Similar to other STEM fields, employers in California’s natural resources industries are in need of a larger and more diverse pool of applicants.
Some warn that it will be difficult for other districts to increase math graduation requirements due to budget and staffing constraints.
CSU has also pledged $10 million to train more math and science teachers, but skeptics question whether that investment will be sufficient.
Some schools may not yet have enough math and science courses to offer a State Seal of STEM.
Opponents say the requirement would harm black and Latino students. Supporters say it would prepare students for college math courses.
