I can't speak to the purpose for eliminating advanced diplomas, and that really is unrelated to the math curriculum changes. As a former educator and spouse of a current one, I would guess that, as much as equity, that has to do with administrative cost vs. student benefit (i.e., no college really cares what diploma a student gets... admissions are generally made based on standardized test scores and GPA).
But getting back to the core subject, as I skimmed through the first few Google returns (Fox News, Daily Wire, Bacon Rebellion), it became clear that there was a ton of agenda-driven secondary source material regarding the curriculum. As I do whenever that happens (which seems to be more and more these days, as news media is almost universally agenda-driven, and those agendas seem to strengthen with each passing day), I tend to go to the primary source and trust what I'm seeing with my own eyes more than the view through a "journalist's" glasses. Here is an excerpt of the actual description of the math curriculum from the Va. Dept. of Education's website with a few particularly pertinent portions highlighted (
https://www.doe.virginia.gov/instruction/mathematics/vmpi/VMPI for vdoe website.docx):
VMPI is a proposal to modernize and update Virginia’s mathematics curriculum in grades K-12 to align instruction with the essential knowledge and skills students need to succeed in the 21st century economy. The proposals would update Virginia's Mathematics Standards of Learning and Virginia’s public school divisions would then be responsible for creating courses and designing curricula to implement those state standards, as they do now.
VMPI maintains Virginia’s rigorous mathematics instruction for all students and strives to provide all students with opportunities to receive high quality, highly-relevant math instruction that is tailored to their specific post-secondary goals.
The implementation of VMPI would still allow for student acceleration in mathematics content according to ability and achievement. It does not dictate how and when students take specific courses. Those decisions remain with students and school divisions based on individualized learning needs.
The traditional high school pathway culminating in the study of Calculus or other advanced courses is not being eliminated. Additional course pathways will include engaging semester courses in statistics, data science, modeling, design, and logic, among others.
Local school divisions will still have plenty of flexibility to create courses aligned to the standards to meet the needs of all students; and provide opportunities for all students to advance through the curriculum based on their learning needs. School divisions will also be able to offer advanced sections and acceleration through the courses.
VMPI will increase rigor by integrating mathematical content and concepts, emphasizing reasoning and problem solving, and providing a highly-relevant experience for all students. It will also include a new focus on statistical literacy, essential for success in a data-rich world.
VMPI proposes math standards in kindergarten through high school that focus on reasoning, real-world problem solving, communication, and conceptual connections while shifting away from an emphasis on computation and routine problem practice.
The VMPI initiative imagines math instruction for students that integrates existing math content into blended courses for students typically in grades 8-10.
The content from Algebra 1, Geometry, and Algebra 2 is not being eliminated by VMPI, but rather the content of these courses will be blended into a seamless progression of connected learning. This encourages students to connect mathematical concepts and develop a much deeper and more relevant understanding of each concept within its context and relevance.
Honestly, when I read the source material directly, I don't find support for the conclusion that you reached about the math curriculum (once again, I know nothing about the diploma requirements). Your conclusion does align rather closely with the sources noted above, though, but I certainly beg your pardon if I was mistaken about what informed your belief.