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.
That's what we think. We've tried working with the district, and that has not gotten us anywhere.
The state is just too big to change, and Arnold is doing some things there.
The seceding is really what the people can do, and we are getting a lot of people (and the press) to back us up.
If it fails, then I'll send my kids to our neighborhood school and do lots of praying. My daughter has brain damage, and we thought she would need a special ed class. So far, she hasn't. Hopefully, she'll do okay in the neighborhood school.
If she starts doing poorly, then I'll try homeschooling.
Oh, Bravo! You are absolutely right. I have often said that obsessing on giving kids classes in computers is an utter waste of time, akin to us having taken a class called, "How to turn on the TV." After all, my 6-year-old knows more about computers than I did when I was 25.
Meanwhile, I have to teach my third grader multiplication tables myself, because they just don't do it right anymore. They no longer make the kids write 'em out 10 times each or anything, but they DO let them have calculators! (Not mine, though...he does it by hand until he's in Chem or PreCalc and no sooner).
Regards,
The evolution of teaching math:
60s
A logger cuts and sells a truckdoad of lumber for $100. His cost of production is four-fifths of that amount. What is his profit?
70s
A logger exchanges a set (L) of lumber for a set (M) of money. The cardinality of set M is 100. The set C of production costs contains 20 fewer points. What is the cardinality of set P of profits?
80s
A logger cuts and sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost is $80, his profit is $20. Find and circle the number 20.
90s
An unenlightened logger cuts down a beautiful stand of 100 trees in order to make a $20 profit. Write an essay explaining how you feel about this as a way to make money. Topic for discussion: How did the forest birds and squirrels feel?
Teaching Math In 2005: El hachero vende un camion carga por $100. La cuesta de production es ...
And those who can't teach teachers become teachers' union goons.
Or principals.
I'm just venting. I went to our school board meeting the other night.
I got so mad at the superintendent. The audience was made up of parents that are mad that the district is trying to close our school. A parent got up and made some valid points, after which the audience stood up and clapped.
The superintendent then proceeded to tell us "I demand respect." He sounded just like a teacher talking down to his students.
It's New York - the only island-based city in the group ...
I probably wasn't clear in my first response. I would have been royally screwed if my father hadn't taught me how to do all that stuff.
FWIW, everything I need to know about algebra, I learned as a fire cadet. I agree that teaching practical money handling skills to students would make a lot of sense.
LOL, that's the type of trick answer that made me hate the "new" math.
A little reward system works wonders. When each of our 4 boys reached 4th grade, we gave them $20 if they could prove to us that they had memorized the multiplication tables up to 12X12 and $40 if they did 20X20. Not even the Catholic school we had them in did over 10X10 and the public school our 2 oldest went to before we abandoned the publics called it "drill and kill" and refused to make the kids do any mental arithmetic.
Most of the children I've observed have not memorized their basic addition and subtraction facts in fourth grade and count on their fingers. Virtually none have memorized the multiplication tables. I am not impressed....
My MOM and DAD AND teachers worked with me until I had mine memorized. But then again, let's do like the liberals do and blame it all on one thing I guess. It's the easy way out nowadays. Kids know more nowadays than people think actually. But with our focus on negativity and other things which I won't mention, it's hard to see that. I've taught AND observed many children and have seen the opposite in many cases. Those that I have seen such as you describe often have other reasons.
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.
In my state at least, it's the parents who have the final say if their child is "passed up the ladder." I've seen many parents decide to do just that because they don't want their child to have to make new friends. There's a lot more reasons than just blaming teachers (I'm not saying one can't be part of it, but that there are a lot of factors). But that's the easy way out nowadays.
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.
Ending social promotion is indeed a start. Changing our attitudes (not just spending more money) and perception are even better. Changing our priorities would be good too. We never got to do much (unless it was church-related) on a school night. My parents limited our TV time (we never had cable or video game systems even though they were available--didn't need them, we had books). In other words, education was paramount in importance growing up. Nowadays, it has to compete with myriads of other influences.
Of course, EVERYONE will be herded into these algebra classes. So EVERYONE can do well on the SAT, and EVERYONE can go to college.
What a waste of national resources
NOT everyone goes into the classes. It is a waste of natural resources to me when we are grownups and have such negative attitudes. My first graders act a lot better than many adults.
I think equations with variables should be started early. Nothing in my personal relationship with math freaked me out more than an equation with a letter in it. WHAT THE HELL IS THAT!
There are actually a lot more teahcers out there like you than many people believe.
I love the teachers in my daughter's school, and the admnistrators as well. Nothing and no one is perfect and I know some parents that have had some problems.....but on the whole it's in pretty good shape.
We need a lot more people like you out there. You definitely have the right attitude. In fact, we teachers love the "real" people like you. You are the ones that we really listen to. To me, such is the true mark of an "education conservative." The "education liberals" are those (teachers and other included) who complain about things. blame everything on others, and pursue political agendas that are detrimental to education.
Thank you.
I can understand exactly what you are saying, because I have found that the few parents I've heard complaints from, are the ones never found at parent teacher conferences, or any of the other functions the schools and the districts run.
Those with our attitude who do attend those things, don't seem to have many complaints, beyond the normal grumblings about weather related delays and closings, or "Not another holiday."
I get very discouraged on these threads by the nastiness extended toward public school teachers and parents who send their children to public school. No system is perfect, and there is good and bad in all.
I'll take good teacher in a public school any day over a poor one in another form of edication program. I spent 12 years in Catholic schools.........and had my fair share of problem teachers.
Keep up the good work, FRiend...........and know there are parents with kids in public schools that truly appreciate you and the majority who are like you.
No, I have a very positive attitude, actually. It's just very cynical about government and public education, because it's borne out.
When I say EVERYONE will be herded into these algebra classes, it is because by high school, just about everyone takes algebra. When there are students who have no need for algebra, and less aptitude for college, this doesn't make much sense. And this push for everyone to fall into the same programs is part of the equality of results liberal movement, where the smart are held back to the average and the dumb are the only ones sped up.
If you'd like to tell me that the administration of your school won't respond to parent pressure to put their unqualified kids in the class, you have a gutsy administrator. Wonderful. If you'd like to tell me that you believe there won't be pressure on the school to push ALL kids into this early start program from the excluded parents, you've got a very special school. Enjoy it. I for one am GLAD if that's the case. But don't think it's at all typical. Your insulting reply doesn't make your experience the average. It just shows how truly sheltered you are, that you believe that a school running a program like this is bulletproof from normal political b.s.
Wow, Sounds great. What state or city is this taking place?
What kind of school does your daughter attend and where (state)?
I know there were tracking programs in most Florida high schools, but they are rare below middle school in Florida.
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