Peter McKnight: Yes, two plus two equals four, but how equations are used counts, too

“These math books, they were doing woke math. … Two plus two equals four, right? Not two plus two equals, well how do you feel about that, is that an injustice?”

Ha, ha, ha. When Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis talks math, it’s always a laugh a minute.

Despite the humour, though, DeSantis’s attacks on the math curriculum are deadly serious. Presumably prompted by concern over the introduction of “social-emotional” learning concepts, the governor’s comments suggest that even math won’t escape the educational black hole he is creating in the sunshine state.

That said, he is hardly the first to have doubts about adding a social justice element to the math curriculum. In fact, Canadians across the country expressed similar concerns before DeSantis even took up residence in Tallahassee.

In 2021, Ontario Premier Doug Ford took issue with the proposed math curriculum, saying, “In math, let’s stick with math. Other social issues, let’s talk about it, there’s no doubt, but let’s not talk about it in math. Let’s get back to the core competency of having kids understand … what is seven times seven.”