For proof that the progressive push for “equity” means a war on excellence, look to the Commonwealth of Virginia, where the state Department of Education last week began a move to eliminate advanced math classes before 11th grade in, yes, the name of equity.

Starting in the 2025-2026 school year, the Pathways Initiative will replace Algebra 1, Geometry and Algebra 2 with “Essential Concepts” courses where all children get taught at the same pace until their last two years of high school.

The new curriculum supposedly includes the traditional content, but the scheme prevents students from choosing an advanced track that lets them start calculus and statistics as soon as they’re ready.

And the state has yet to explain how dumbing down math standards and limiting options for high-achieving students will in any way benefit racial minorities.

On his Facebook page, Ian Serotkin of the Loudoun County School Board explained the “equity” issue involves the current tracking system, which makes it hard for kids to “get to calculus later on if they weren’t sufficiently accelerated in middle school.” But he rightly called the end of all math acceleration until 11th grade “absolutely bananas,” as it just limits how much higher math anyone gets to take.

That’s progressive “equity” for you: Promote “fairness” not by adding opportunity, but by removing it from those who’ve already done well. Along with all the other garbage the left is pushing on US schools, it’s an invitation for China and other competitors to leave America in the dust.