Billionaire Philanthropist Supports Controversial Math Curriculum in NYC Schools

Billionaire Philanthropist Supports Controversial Math Curriculum in NYC Schools

Liz Simons, a billionaire philanthropist and heiress, has contributed $250,000 to New Yorkers for Lower Costs, a political action committee that champions Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani. She oversees a foundation that is reportedly pushing to implement a so-called “woke math” program in public schools.

Critics have expressed strong opposition to this mathematical approach, alleging that it aims to indoctrinate children into socialist ideologies. According to reports from the New York Post, these detractors believe that the program fundamentally alters how mathematics is taught, blending social justice themes with traditional curricula.

Woke Math vs. Traditional Math

Traditional math problems present students with straightforward numerical questions. In contrast, the race-neutral math approach integrates social issues into its problems, moving beyond mere calculation. While certain states, such as California, have adopted this curriculum, others, including Florida, have outright rejected it, fearing that it distracts from academic rigor.

Financial Support for Racial Justice in Math Education

The Heising-Simons Foundation, which Simons co-founded with her husband, Mark Heising, has allocated $1.7 million since 2023 to the Racial Justice in Early Mathematics (RJEM) Project at Chicago’s Erikson Institute. This funding underlines the foundation’s commitment to addressing perceived racial disparities in educational settings.

RJEM was formed in December 2019 under the leadership of Dr. Jennifer McCray from the Erikson Institute and Dr. Danny Bernard Martin from the University of Illinois Chicago. A press release from January 2023 states that the project focuses on identifying and tackling systemic racial injustices in math education for young learners.

Goals of the RJEM Project

The RJEM Project aims to highlight racial injustices in early math education, inspiring “difficult and often uncomfortable conversations” about racism. Furthermore, it encourages educators to develop practices that promote racial justice in their classrooms.

The Heising-Simons Foundation’s Mission

The Heising-Simons Foundation articulates its mission as advancing sustainable solutions in areas such as climate and clean energy, enabling groundbreaking scientific research, enhancing early childhood education, and supporting human rights for all individuals.

Mamdani’s Role in the Political Landscape

Mamdani, who identifies as a Democratic socialist, shocked many when he secured the Democratic nomination for New York City mayor in June. Despite his progressive platform, he has garnered support from prominent establishment figures such as Rep. Jerry Nadler. However, some political leaders, including Sen. Chuck Schumer, have shown more caution regarding his candidacy.

Mamdani’s coalition of support also includes Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who has openly advocated for his campaign. Recently, Mamdani hosted an event in Brooklyn alongside prominent Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, underscoring his progressive alliances.

A Call for Transparency

As these developments unfold, critics and supporters alike call for transparency regarding the funding of educational initiatives like the RJEM Project. The intertwining of philanthropic support with public education raises questions about influence and accountability in curriculum design.

Fox News Digital attempted to contact the Heising-Simons Foundation for a comment but did not receive a response at the time of inquiry.