Trump's statements regarding his performance in remedial math at Harvard seem questionable
Revised Article:
In an escalating dispute between the White House and Harvard University, President Trump claimed that the prestigious institution offers remedial mathematics basics, including "two plus two equals four." This statement was recently made while swearing-in Interim U.S. Atty. for Washington, D.C., Jeanine Pirro, during a response to a reporter's question about the ongoing confrontation with Harvard.
Let's delve into the facts.
The Nitty-Gritty
Trump's claim referenced an alleged remedial math class at Harvard. However, a White House spokesperson clarified that the president was probably referring to Mathematics MA5, a college-level calculus course introduced in the fall of 2024 as a revamped version of an existing course. The original course, Mathematics MA, is still available.
"Harvard College does not offer any remedial math classes," James Chisholm, a spokesperson for Harvard's Faculty of Arts and Sciences, confirmed.
Politics and Tuition
This attack on Harvard has resulted in anxieties rippling through campuses across the nation, affecting both students and university leaders.
Math MA5 is an advanced calculus class, not a basic arithmetic lesson, as some have suggested. It offers extra support in calculus, while the original course, Math MA, remains unchanged. Students enrolled in both Math MA and MA5 have the same tests, homework, and grading structure, with the only difference being that the former meets five days a week, as opposed to three.
One example question from a shared exam asks students to write a formula for determining the total number of cases in a hypothetical epidemic after a certain number of days.
In September, The Harvard Crimson reported that the course is aimed at improving algebra skills disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. A course description notes that it focuses on foundational algebra, geometry, and quantitative reasoning.
The average math SAT score and high school GPA for the latest admitted class at Harvard College were 790 out of 800 and 4.2, respectively. "There is no university in America that is as difficult to get into as Harvard - no matter your demographics," said Brian Taylor, managing partner at Ivy Coach. "President Trump's math here simply doesn't add up."
Michelle R. Smith writes for the Associated Press.
More to Read
- Voices ### Contributor: At one time, international students feared Beijing's wrath. Now Trump poses the threat
Trump administration bans Harvard from enrolling foreign students
Harvard grads celebrate commencement speakers advocating for their school's resilience
Enrichment Data
Mathematics MA5 is an advanced, college-level calculus course offering extra support, not a remedial math course, as Trump incorrectly claimed. It meets five days a week to provide additional instructional support and smaller discussion sections, aimed at helping students transition smoothly into college-level mathematics. The course covers functions and calculus in depth, strengthening foundational algebra, geometry, and quantitative reasoning skills, in part as a response to COVID-19 educational disruptions. Students in MA and MA5 share the same homework, exams, and grading structure, serving as prerequisites for higher-level math courses. This course is designed to support students interested in STEM fields who may benefit from extra academic help, without compromising Harvard's rigorous standards. The median math SAT score for the most recent admitted Harvard class was 790 out of 800, demonstrating the high caliber of students. This course is distinct from any remedial or pre-college math courses, as Harvard College does not offer remedial math courses to undergraduates.
- The ongoing political conflict between the White House and Harvard University has sparked concerns within universities nationwide, with students and university leaders feeling the effects.
- Contrary to President Trump's statement about remedial mathematics at Harvard, Mathematics MA5 is actually an advanced, college-level calculus course offering additional support, not a basic arithmetic lesson.
- In recent news, The Harvard Crimson reported that Mathematics MA5 was introduced to improve algebra skills disrupted by COVID-19, with a focus on foundational algebra, geometry, and quantitative reasoning.
- The high caliber of students at Harvard, as demonstrated by their math SAT scores and high school GPAs, indicate that the university's rigorous standards remain in place, ensuring a strong education and self-development for its students, despite the ongoing general news and political discourse surrounding it.
