CVUSD School Board turns down Math Choice
CA Math Project & CLU Lobby Hard in
Favor of Everyday Math
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Here are some important facts
parents should be aware of when evaluating the
There are
scientific studies
which document the fantastic results achieved in districts which use CA state
approved math programs. Over 220
professors of mathematics and science from some of the most prestigious
universities in the country have signed
an open letter critical of the process
that allowed the Everyday Math program and other NCTM
standards based math curricula to be identified as “promising” or “exemplary.” In
spite of abundant opposition to these programs from skilled mathematicians,
proponents of Everyday Math from Cal Lutheran’s Ed
School brush expert opinions aside categorizing them as meaningless.
The
education schools are responsible for training our children’s teachers. A number of Cal Lutheran Educators are in fact
the most ardent supporters of Everyday Math here in the CVUSD.
In numerous letters and presentations proponents
allude ambiguously to “research” which “shows” EM
curriculum is effective. It is important
to note that NOT ONE single study has been named by proponents for parents to
review, with good reason. The National Academy of
Science has completed a study of the research backing the Everyday Math
program and found that ALL of the studies were flawed, and therefore the
conclusions they assert are NOT VALID.
Save Our
Children from Mediocre Math (SOCMM) applauds the recent admission
of Mr. Holland, a CVUSD 4th grade teacher,
to the use of flash cards in his 4th grade classroom in defiance of
the constructivist (discovery) based pedagogy promoted in the EM curriculum.
Sadly, the fact that flash cards must be employed at all by a 4th
grade instructor is evidence once again that classroom use of EM fails to require children to memorize their math facts
in earlier grades as required by the CA math standards. The “spiral” used to introduce material in the
EM program spreads information out so far and thin
that the “Use It or Loose It” principal of skills retention becomes abundantly
obvious as fewer students achieve mastery, thus negating any benefit the
authors of EM originally intended.
In his letter
to the Acorn Mr. Holland states, “NO program works for all children.” Given this fact, parents have to wonder why the
CLU proponents of Everyday Math fight so vigorously
against “Math Choice” for students who prefer to use a CA approved text. The answer is simple, historically, of the
teachers, students and parents who are given a choice, 75% on average will opt
for traditional math programs, leaving very few students in the constructivist
based math programs forced on communities by the Ed Schools.
The CVUSD teacher’s simplistic examples of how parents can supplement
at home (on the cheap) are insulting to those parents who realize the
importance of good math skills and how little is being done during school hours
to teach and practice the basics.
Constructivist teaching methods used by Everyday Math eliminate direct
instruction and require teachers to act as mere facilitators, guiding students
in “discovering” their own knowledge through group activities. In light of current CVUSD
classroom realities, there is little surprise that parents are opting to
provide their children with direct math instruction through learning centers
and private tutors in spite of the cost.
The
State Board of Education rejected Everyday Math. Mathematicians and Scientists are critical of
it and many parents do not buy the unsubstantiated rhetoric of the CLU Educators fighting to maintain the status quo. Yvonne
Lux the Director of Cal Lutheran’s Continuing
Education and the California Mathematics Project might stand to loose lucrative training
contracts if a large percentage of parents are given the choice and opt out of
Everyday Math. It’s about politics, and
it’s about money, unfortunately there is little focus on the needs of students. Mike Dunn
is the only current school board member that has indicated support for “Math
Choice.” Parents need to remember this fact in November of 2006 as the other
two incumbents up for reelection [Dr. Tim
Stephens and Pat Phelps] have not yet shown any inclination to assist our
effort. CVUSD parents
deserve the “choice” to use CA approved math curriculum in our children’s
classrooms, unfortunately as it stands now we will have to win this battle at
the ballot box.
Jo Anne Cobasko
Co Founder
Save Our Children from Mediocre Math
Tim Stephens Pat Phelps Tim Stephens Pat Phelps