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An email from the president of the Troy School District in northern Michigan has sparked criticism for its stereotypical and inaccurate description of Asian American families. In a May 2023 email to the university’s mathematics department, Carl Schmidt wrote that “Chinese and South Asian” parents “often derive social status from their children’s academic performance.” , claimed to prioritize “speed and calculation” learning over deep understanding.
Criticism: Schmidt’s comments were seen as perpetuating racial stereotypes and were condemned by the civil rights group American Citizens for Justice (ACJ), which called for an apology and condemnation. Critics say Schmidt’s comments ignore the concerns of Asian American parents, paint an unfair picture of the university, and could harm their children’s educational opportunities. The email came to light amid a school board controversy that saw the district decide to open the Middle School Mathematics Honors Program as part of a broader curriculum approach aimed at ensuring a more inclusive math education for all students. This spurred ongoing debate over abolishing the . The issue has fueled a campaign in the lead-up to the November election, with multiple candidates, including Asian American parents, running against Schmidt and calling for the reinstatement of the honors program.
Schmidt’s apology: Schmidt reportedly apologized in September, saying his comments were inappropriate and offering to meet with offended parents. “In hindsight, that was an unfair comment, and I can understand why some parents were upset about it,” he told the Detroit Free Press. Schmidt also said that with the election approaching, the question of middle school math programs is now in the hands of voters. He confirmed that whether he remains on the board or not, he believes the decision to change the math curriculum is the right choice for students.
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