Posted on 01/12/2005 2:30:56 PM PST by nickcarraway
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Students and teachers beginning in the fall will face a newer kind of math in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade.
The state Board of Regents this week adopted the new policy for schools statewide that will include teaching algebra concepts starting in the fifth grade and quadratic equations in eighth grade. The teaching of those subjects in depth has mostly been reserved for high school.
"There is no question in our minds that this will position New York state well internationally," said William Brosnan, superintendent of Northport schools on Long Island and chairman of the Regents' panel on overhauling math.
Its findings were sent to teachers and other educators statewide. The panel received 2,000 responses and incorporated many of the concerns and recommendations, Brosnan said Wednesday.
The goal, said Brosnan, is to provide a clear, sequential math education in the lower grades that gives a deep understanding of math, adding the concept has proven effective in Singapore, Japan and several other countries.
Critics have argued the new standards may be too challenging. Others argue the increased use of calculators, under strict conditions, could weaken some math skills.
But Brosnan said the new program will clarify what is to be taught and when. That's critical for building an understanding of the subject, he said, rather than just knowing how to follow formulas.
He said a recent national study proves the need. The Thomas B. Fordham Foundation gave the state a "C" for its curriculum content and a "D" for clarity. This new system changes that, he said.
What kind of games? I've seen one try at a different approach to math education at the adult level at a community college. To the uninitiated, it would look like it was just playing. But, the adults who were completely turned off to math at some point, actually were able to grasp the concepts through a different approach that let them discover the basic concepts. This was for teaching adults such things as fractions and multiplication. The same approach - what looked like playing games - was also used for other things as well. They still had to pass the same exit exams as students in a more traditional setting. Drill isn't always the best way to teach something, especially math.
>My first thought was - first they will have to find some qualified techers.<
Another brain softener, like a "Why Johnny Can't Read?" program? Where did the program originate? How has it been tested (prior to mass distribution); and how will it stretch young minds? This inquiring mind wants to know.
PS Into which trash bin did they toss penmanship, spelling, and unrevised history?
Kids can take algebra, doesn't mean they are learing it, and as for kids reading whole books, alot of kids can't read, period.
In NYC, its a disgrace, when schools brag about just having literacy scores over 50%.
There's a website, on school scoring in NYC (I know Corcoran group has a link to it, or its avalable to download). Its pathetic, the easiest way to boost scores now, is simply ending social promotion, which is a start, but in this city, it'll also probably be an end.
And those who can't teach, teach teachers?
-PJ
-PJ
I know that the middle school my son will be going to will bump up kids based on ability. We have a friend whose 7th grade daughter is taking 9th grade math there. My son is a math whiz, and I can't wait to see what he can really do next year. I'm sure he'll be at least a year ahead.
I haven't really wanted to accelerate his math learning until now. He needed to get lots of basics down first: reading, writing, and basic math concepts. Now he's got the basics down, and it's time for him to fly. He's looking forward to being more challenged also.
You have to have standards sometime in your life!
I'm good at math and I agree with you.
My son is in the 5th grade, and I have been very happy that his school does not let them use calculators. He needs to get the basics down.
If he starts to use a calculator in the following years, then I won't mind. He already knows the basics behind what he's doing.
No, it's Pennsylvania. The only one that does not have a major sports team. New York Yankees, New Jersey Nets, Pittsburgh Steelers, Pennsylvania ??s.
Doesn't mean they learn it. My wife's niece is in the 11th grade and is barely literate; passed up the ladder. She didn't care till it came time for her DL and she found out that CA delays issuance of a DL if grades are not sat.
I'm in the middle of a huge fight with our school district here in California.
They are closing schools because of decreasing enrollment. However, they are not using academic performance in their criteria for closing schools.
My kids school is on the chopping block, and it is a National Blue Ribbon school. There are other schools that are failing in the district, but "it wouldn't be fair to use academic performance as a criteria for closing schools."
Anyway, a group of parents is fighting this. We're trying to secede from our district and create a smaller district. In one week, we have gathered over 1000 signatures on a petition to seceded. We need 8000, and I think we'll get them.
We've gotten lots of publicity. I've been on the news.
We accidentally ran into Tom Campbell (former congressman, and currently in charge of the budget for the state of California) at the grocery store, and he wrote a letter to our superintendent.
We (parents) are trying to take back our school district.
No, it's New York. Professional football teams play in the other three.
This reminds me of a story.
When my son was in 2nd grade, my mom took him to a garage sell. My son had about $5 to buy toys. My son picked out of few things to buy, and then he told the person at the cash register what the change would be.
The person rang up the purchase on the cash register (or calculator) and my son was correct. My son then figured out some more change for people, and was amazing all the adults around.
I think my mom was quite proud of him.
Grade-by-grade topics here:
http://www.regents.nysed.gov/2005Meetings/January2005/0105bra7.2.pdf
"The state Board of Regents this week adopted the new policy for schools statewide that will include teaching algebra concepts starting in the fifth grade and quadratic equations in eighth grade. The teaching of those subjects in depth has mostly been reserved for high school."
Good!
However, no one (except my Dad) ever taught me how to balance a check book, figure out a tax rate, keep a set of books for a business, etc. I think education in the US is becoming more and more polarized. In many of the private schools, where proper behavior is required, students are getting excellent educations. In many public schools, it;s primarily a minimum security prison or babysitting and tranquilizing service.
That's the way my daughter's school does it. All the kids are tested and placed by their ability. A 2nd grader could be in 4th grade reading and 2nd grade math. Or a 7th grader may be in 7 grade math, 6th grade reading and 5th grade spelling. It all depends on their abilities.
Most kids test at grade level, but some are behind and some ahead in different areas. They shouldn't be overwhelmed or bored by the work. We do group by age somewhat. A kid would not normally be in a class where the majority of kids are 3 grades ahead or 3 grades behind. The behavior differences are just too great.
You go, girl! Storm the Department of Education with torches and pitchforks if that's what it takes. Seems to me that your plan to secede is far more realistic than taking on the state machinery and trying to change the whole system.
If it fails, what'll you do?
So don't you think it should be the other way around?
The building trades instructor and you are one in a hundred -- whereas everybody could use the skills only your Dad taught you and many others are not so fortunate to have anybody teach them. The latter should be the core curriculum -- and once people have that core down pat, they can direct their own education depending on their interests and needs. You don't need to design a curriculum for the geniuses in the world -- or the prodigies; however advanced you try to make the curriculum, if they're really prodigious, they'll far outstrip any teacher. The best one can do for those prodigies -- as well as for the rest of the class, is to let them teach! They know what their fellow classmates are going through.
That's how it is in the real world. Those who understand it well, teach the rest. They don't just go on proving how smart they are -- knowing what everybody else doesn't.
In that teaching, they discover what it is they don't really know. That's why Leibniz and Newton created calculus
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