By Clyde Noel

In a long and deliberative discussion with protesting students Dec. 4, the Foothill-De Anza Community College Board of Trustees approved a general education requirement that requires students to study more math.

“We are not doing a good job,” explained Chancellor Leo Chavez. “We are not preparing people for the majority of jobs in Silicon Valley to allow them to get paid enough to support themselves. The high schools are not doing a good job with a certain group of students either. The problem is the digital divide. It’s an education gap, an income gap and an opportunity gap.”

Referring to a Joint Ventures index, only 29 percent of the ninth and 10th-grade students in Santa Clara County are enrolled in intermediate algebra.

In Silicon Valley, the data indicates the opportunity to succeed in mathematics is not occurring for all segments of the population. That issue has to be addressed, Chavez said, noting the best way to prepare for a career in high technology is to be schooled in mathematics.

By the year 2004, all high school students will have to pass a competency test that goes beyond the Algebra 1 level.

Students from De Anza and Foothill colleges protested the additional requirement by asking the board to abstain from voting until every student achieves equity success.

Approximately 700 students signed a petition against the math increase because students claimed there was limited tutoring and no space for tutoring support.

One male student said, “Tutoring doesn’t begin in math until 3-4 weeks into the class, and by that time the student is lost. There is too much digital divide. Send the issue back to the academic senate. There are limited resources for student needs and you should get a better understanding of the issue.”

“I want to lend my support to the increased math and get the students on a college math level,” said Barbara Lasky, a Foothill mathematics teacher. “When you raise the bar, students will achieve it. We need to recognize we are here at a college.”

“The issues raised tonight have been asked before in the last three years. We need to understand that mathematics is becoming the gatekeeper for entering the Silicon Valley work force and students are coming to us less prepared,” Chavez said. “We are being asked to do the most for the least. It’s time the legislature wakes up and realizes the community college does more for the community than higher colleges in the state system.”

A board decision had to be made because graduation requirements were to be presented to the Curriculum Committee the following day (Dec. 5).

“It’s incumbent of the teacher to work with the student. I worry about the support service programs,” said board member Dolly Sandoval. “I recommend we pass the requirements this evening and ask the faculty senate and college president to come up with money and a definite plan to increase the tutorial service. We should evaluate the support for tutorial service annually.”