Everyday Math “Fails the Grade”

by Jo Anne Cobasko

Founder of

Save Our Children from Mediocre Math

 

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COMMENTARY

 

            Proponents of Everyday Math (EM) such as Dr. Butcher and Yvonne Lux, both of C.L.U., would like parents to ignore the opinions of over 220 Professors of mathematics and science who have signed an open  letter published in the Washington Post that was critical of EM and similar controversial programs http://www.hobel.org/lwved/id9.htm .  Save Our Children from Mediocre Math (SOCMM) has the highest regard for the opinions of the professors that signed the “Riley Letter” and we urge parents to review the LINKS at http://socmm.home.att.net and decide for themselves what and who to believe when it comes to K-12 math education and curriculum.

 

            Proponents point to supportive test scores and declare that EM is making the grade.  Variations in the degree of supplementation used throughout the district, however, render the test scores meaningless.  While some classes abandon teaching EM, behind closed doors of course, using different instructional materials; the remaining classrooms adhere to the teacher’s manual with little or no supplementation.   Outside tutoring centers and the home use of approved math programs will continue to support scores, in spite of the classroom use of EM.  Professor Wayne Bishop of C.S.U. L.A. discusses this further in his reply to Dr. Butcher posted on the SOCMM web site. http://socmm.home.att.net/bishoprebutsbutcher.htm

 

 

            I compared the EM 1st grade work book with 2 CA approved math programs, and found EM to be grossly inferior to the SBE approved curricula.  You do not need to be a scientist to identify EM’s incoherent presentation and lack of emphasis on computational skills and standard algorithms.  The State Board of Education rejected Everyday Math in the 2001 Mathematics Adoption Report for failing to meet CA math Standards. http://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/ma/im/documents/mathrpt.pdf

 

            It is interesting to note the Publishers of Everyday Math chose NOT to submit the program to the SBE for the 2005 supplementary math adoption and therefore it will remain unapproved.  SOCMM supports “Math Choice” in the CVUSD.  Allowing parents and students to choose a CA approved math curriculum, if they so desire, will improve math outcomes for students in our public schools.   

 

 

 

Save Our Children from Mediocre Math

Web site:  http://socmm.home.att.net

 

 

SOCMM     CVUSD “Math Choice”    SOCMM

Dr. Kristine D. Butcher     Everyday Math CVUSD   CVUSD Everyday Math