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| Another school district dumping EM | |
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| Topic Started: Feb 4 2009, 02:15 PM (180 Views) | |
| IlikeLIvonia | Feb 4 2009, 02:15 PM Post #1 |
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Bridgewater-Raritan school board continues 'Everyday Math' debate KARA L. RICHARDSON STAFF WRITER September 12, 2008 http://www.mycentraljersey.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080912/NEWS/809120356&s=d&page=1 BRIDGEWATER Parents and Bridgewater-Raritan Regional Board of Education members spent most of a meeting this week blasting a controversial math program that is under district review. A committee of parents and educators convened Tuesday, Sept. 9, to study the Everyday Math program and recommended that the district seek an alternative math program. Now, a team of Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District educators, headed by Assistant Superintendent Cheryl Dyer, will review the program. Their charge is to seek alternatives to Everyday Math, which the district has used since 1998. Everyday Math is a comprehensive program that uses everyday examples to teach math concepts. It differs from a traditional program because it: Uses calculators from the beginning of the education process (even in kindergarten) Has a "spiral" method of teaching that revisits at each level, so that each school year begins with a review of what was taught before Uses games, puzzles and activities to illustrate concepts. Dozens of parents attended Tuesday's meeting to voice their opinions about the program, which is typically well-liked by educators. They said students from special needs to advanced struggle with the program and can't perform basic math tasks. Board President Cynthia Cullen and board members Arvind Mathur and Jill Gladstone blasted the program. Other board members such as Evan Lerner and Jeffrey Brookner also discussed their desire to select another math program for students. "I cannot in good faith support the Everyday Math program," Cullen said. "I do not see it working for my children. I don't buy the spiraling concept before there's mastery, you move on to the next subject. To me, it's a major waste of time to be doing a review of the processes." Cullen said the program had an "excessive use of calculators. When you have kindergartners using a calculator rather than their fingers, you have a problem. When you ask kids what 9 times 9 is, they should be able to tell you. They shouldn't have to say, "Oh, let me get my calculator. Oh, I can get my cell phone. That has a calculator on it.' " Superintendent Michael Schilder said that when the Everyday Math Committee report which included his recommendations was made public last month, several people contacted him in favor and against keeping the program. "If I'm going to defend a controversial program to this community, I need to have proof that it's better," Schilder said about the educator's review process. That process should be complete by February 2009. John Schiemann and Kalpana Vijayakumar, the parents who served on the original Everyday Math Committee, were miffed that the district was going to have another review of the program by educators instead of just seeking another program. Virginia Schrum of Bridgewater said that her 9th-grade daughter, who is in five honors classes, and her 8th-grade daughter, who has special needs, struggle with Everyday Math. Many parents also said they have had to send their children to private tutoring just to be able to keep up with basic math skills. Sara Di Grazia said the program's "spiraling" concept is "downright cruel for kids with special needs." "I implore you to really look at this very seriously and find another program." Kara L. Richardson can be reached at 908-707-3186 or krichardson@mycentraljersey.com. Edited by IlikeLIvonia, Feb 4 2009, 02:17 PM.
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| Mrs.M | Feb 5 2009, 02:01 PM Post #2 |
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That's New Jersey what do they know? |
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| crazy_cat | Feb 6 2009, 10:56 AM Post #3 |
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You know what they say --- As Bridgewater-Raritan goes, so goes the rest of the country. |
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| IlikeLIvonia | Mar 13 2009, 05:37 PM Post #4 |
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Board of Education reviewing alternatives to UCSMP Everyday Math District considers traditional math plan By Nanci G. Hutson THE NEWS-TIMES (Danbury, CT) May 31, 2005 http://www.nychold.com/art-newmilford-050531.html NEW MILFORD - Board of Education member David A. Lawson said he is "cautiously optimistic" the district next year will try a traditional elementary math program to improve how students acquire skills. He suspects such a program would be less expensive than today's Everyday Math curriculum, the subject of considerable controversy this year. A week ago, about 20 parents and Board of Education members met with the math curriculum team to talk about ways to improve the elementary math program. Though some district administrators and elementary teachers say the current program has helped many students excel, parents have continually complained the current approach forces children to consider high-level math concepts before mastering basic skills. Some parents have said the program is difficult for them to follow, and often they cannot assist their children with homework. The program has no textbooks, just worksheets. Lawson said he recognizes institutional change is difficult, but he believes a more traditional program will not only meet the district's needs but exceed them. He said he is pleased the committee offered the opportunity for parent input. The curriculum committee has been considering a number of suggested, more traditional programs as pilots for the coming year. The intent is to expand on what exists so that students are able to master mathematics. This year's fourth-grade Connecticut Mastery Test scores showed a drop in math proficiency. Though some parents were quick to blame the current math program, district officials said those scores also reflect a budget reduction in tutorial supports and summer school programs to benefit those who struggle with math. Officials have said they are continually reviewing curriculum in all subject areas to find what might work better but don't want to make a change that might not achieve results. The decade-old Everyday Math Program does promote strong thinking and problem-solving skills, and for many students has proven effective as they advance to higher level mathematics, such as algebra and geometry. The one drawback that educators admit with the current program is a lack of attention on rote math skills, but most teachers supplement the program so that children master those skills before they leave the elementary grades. Still, no program is ideal for every child, officials said. Board of Education Chairman Wendy Faulenbach said the committee has invested a lot of time with other districts and professional math consultants seeking a way to build on its current elementary math program. She and other administrators have said that whatever program is chosen must be one teachers endorse. "Everybody has a history of what they feel works best for their system," Faulenbach said. "There has been a lot of effort put into this." She said the committee is expected to bring recommendations to the board's Committee on Learning on June 16. |
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