Oppose AB-1217: Protect Math Rigor in Admissions

Subject: Oppose AB-1217: Protect Rigor in UC Admissions Standards for Technical Education

My name is [Full Name], and I am writing to urge you to oppose AB-1217. This bill poses a serious threat to the quality and integrity of math education in California and undermines the University of California's ability to uphold rigorous academic standards in its admissions process. AB-1217 would pressure the UC system to accept watered-down high school data science courses as substitutes for Algebra II, even though these courses do not meet the rigor or content needed to prepare students for college-level STEM or quantitative majors. In fact, UC faculty already reversed a decision to approve such courses in 2023 after determining that they lacked key mathematical content, including fundamental concepts like logarithms. This legislation is not about expanding opportunity. It’s about enshrining failed policies into law. Similar reforms in San Francisco that delayed Algebra I in the name of equity led to lower enrollment in advanced math and wider achievement gaps. Students with resources found workarounds – those without fell behind. AB-1217 risks replicating this failure statewide, locking out students from rigorous pathways to careers in STEM, AI, finance, and data-driven fields. Let me be clear: equity matters. But equity should mean giving every student access to strong preparation – not lowering the bar and pretending it's the same. True equity means ensuring all students, especially those from underserved backgrounds, receive the education they need to thrive in a competitive and technical world. UC faculty, CSU leaders, and experts across tech and academia have already spoken out against these changes. Please listen. Don’t let ideology replace evidence. Don't sacrifice rigor in the name of equity. Our students deserve real math, real opportunity, and real futures. I respectfully urge you to vote NO on AB-1217. Sincerely,