tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69109054858247633182011-04-21T22:30:59.824-07:00Parents 4 Math in Edmonds School DistrictA website for parents in Edmonds School District who are concerned that the current math curriculum is too "fuzzy" and would like their children to be taught standard algorithms and computational skills as well as the conceptual, discovery math currently in the curriculum.
We advocate a balanced approach to math so students can achieve both understanding and actual mastery of math topics.
We welcome your comments, experiences and observations.Julie Stephenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04909354585457834839noreply@blogger.comBlogger161100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6910905485824763318.post-8100600643494607762008-06-08T22:47:00.000-07:002008-06-14T16:14:37.240-07:00Differences between the math education philosophiesSince 1990, schools all over the U.S. have taken to teaching math in a "new" way. They called it "reform" math. Others called it "fuzzy" math. Much of the education community still believes in this methodology. Many parents don't.Here is a basic list of the differences in teaching methods. This list is not meant to compare the actual effectiveness of the teaching methods.Reform/New/Fuzzy MathManyJulie Stephenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04909354585457834839noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6910905485824763318.post-14888357164041494422008-05-30T10:18:00.000-07:002008-06-01T21:54:40.954-07:00School Board Voting on New Math Curriculum June 3rdOn June 3rd, 2008, the Edmonds School District Board will be voting on approving the new math curricula adoption for High School and for K through 5th grade.HIGH SCHOOL:Tony Byrd, Asst. Superindendent reported back to the SLAC committee (which I am a member of) the decision made by a committee that included himself as well as principals, department chairs, and math teachers. The adoption Julie Stephenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04909354585457834839noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6910905485824763318.post-35266312760344426162008-05-16T12:55:00.000-07:002008-05-16T13:05:22.113-07:00Math Expressions chosen as new K-5th Math CurriculumAnnette got an email message yesterday afternoon that Edmonds School District has chosen Math Expressions for its K-5th Math curriculum starting in the fall. This decision will become official once it is approved by the school board at a meeting in June.This is good news for students in our district as it is a stronger math program that what is being used in many of our district schools. I hopeJulie Stephenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04909354585457834839noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6910905485824763318.post-91408949952189720742008-05-13T23:55:00.000-07:002008-05-14T00:06:59.955-07:00URGENT: Email your opinion to the district about Math ExpressionsI have looked at the K-5th programs and have listened to the publishers and I strongly prefer Math Expressions. As I have talked with parents about their concerns, I am convinced that most parents would prefer Math Expressions. Last we heard from the assistant superintendent, parent opinion had been 100% for Math Expressions. If we continue to make our opinion known, it will be harder for them toJulie Stephenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04909354585457834839noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6910905485824763318.post-49650316872063736072008-05-12T15:41:00.001-07:002008-05-14T00:07:37.988-07:00Sign Up for Parents who want to helpAt the curriculum materials meeting tonight, I will have a sign up sheet for parents who want to know what is going on and want to help MAKE SURE the district listens to our opinion. It is important to quickly get a list of parents who care about this issue. Together, we can make a difference.Call Julie Stephens at 425-771-8117 or email me at jksdfs@yahoo.com or comment here with your email or Julie Stephenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04909354585457834839noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6910905485824763318.post-20540421101830906872008-05-12T15:31:00.000-07:002008-05-12T15:35:00.998-07:00K-5th Math Expressions is the best choiceK-5th grade Math choices1. Math Expressions (we think is the better program): www.eduplace.com/math/mthexp andBellevue School District has adopted Math Expressions so if you scroll down their site, they have a video http://www.bsd405.org/· Meets high standards of what grade topics are covered and depth of coverage· One topic at a time till mastery· Good balance between conceptual understanding (Julie Stephenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04909354585457834839noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6910905485824763318.post-47226470390005111392008-05-12T15:30:00.000-07:002008-05-12T15:31:49.025-07:00Parent Input on CurriculumRight now is your LAST CHANCE (between now and Tuesday morning) to make a difference in your child's Math education. The district is choosing curricula.....and right now I think they might be leaning towards the programs I think are better, but it could still go either way. Like many of you, I have been concerned with the current methods of teaching math (reform math) in our schools and I’m readyJulie Stephenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04909354585457834839noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6910905485824763318.post-84502909859508470872008-05-12T15:00:00.000-07:002008-05-13T23:50:23.791-07:00High School curriculum McDougal Littel is the better choiceUPDATE 5/13/08 They have decided on McDougal Littel for high school Algebra, Geometry and Algebra 2. Yay!!! Fortunately, the high school teachers seemed to favor the program and so they made the decision pretty easily. It will be official once they take it to the school board at the beginning of June. Thanks so much to everyone for getting involved. I'm really thrilled with this decision!Julie Stephenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04909354585457834839noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6910905485824763318.post-55683834783383504162008-05-02T09:24:00.000-07:002008-05-14T09:26:27.616-07:00UW Professors urge state to teach math skills60 UW professors recently signed a statement saying the quality of math knowledge in their students has been declining and the strongly urge WA schools to teach math skills.http://www.wheresthemath.com/blog/2008/03/11/uw-students-behind-in-math-professors-say/Many people blame reform math because it has been around in our state for 15+ years and so we are now turning out students who have had Julie Stephenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04909354585457834839noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6910905485824763318.post-72359541128147850512008-05-01T20:03:00.000-07:002008-05-14T09:46:44.151-07:00Washington Engineers speak out against Reform MathMy husband is a civil engineer so I found this statement interesting. I want our children to have the skills needed to pursue a career in engineering or any other field that they choose.Excepts:"The West Puget Sound Chapter of the Washington Society of Professional Engineers strongly concurs with Ms. Joyce Fiess' Nov. 6 letter concerning the mathematics education in the state of Washington.Too Julie Stephenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04909354585457834839noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6910905485824763318.post-31640404876521301462008-05-01T09:40:00.000-07:002008-05-14T09:43:48.740-07:00Reform Math is WASL Math and it hurts our students"While "problem-based learning" is sometimes effective, it is very time-consuming; its overuse takes time away from learning and practicing the needed algebra skills. In my view, understanding and skills build on each other, and the standards result in less of both.The WASL, too, is based on those standards. Two recent studies found the WASL particularly weak in algebra. We need to recognize thatJulie Stephenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04909354585457834839noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6910905485824763318.post-60662873945256795702008-05-01T00:19:00.000-07:002008-05-14T00:24:19.360-07:00New State Standards for K-8thThe state finally approved new Math Standards. They are definitely better than the vague ones we had before, but I know Where's The Math is disappointed that the new standards aren't higher. I hope to look through them a little more carefully at some point.http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/360909_math29.htmlState Board of Education approves new grade school math standardsBy AMY ROLPHP-I Julie Stephenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04909354585457834839noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6910905485824763318.post-21365422527379393342008-02-28T00:10:00.001-08:002008-05-14T00:14:20.802-07:00Math failures in Washington Statehttp://www.heraldnet.com/article/20080119/OPINION03/585720820&SearchID=73306240313918Fuzzy WASL math is failing our kidsBy Val StevensAn astounding 37 percent of Washington's high school seniors -- about 26,500 students -- have failed the 10th-grade math WASL. By law, these students must keep taking math classes until they either pass -- or graduate without skills. In 2013, the math WASL will be Julie Stephenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04909354585457834839noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6910905485824763318.post-85557574842180223322008-02-07T19:32:00.001-08:002008-02-08T15:34:27.079-08:00Washington State Mathematics Standards revision - Give your input before its too lateRight now, the Washington State Legislature is looking at drafts to rewrite the Washington State Mathematics Standards. If you go to this website, click on the tab that says "Find Your District," enter in your address and it will tell you who your representatives are, and how to contact them (including clicking to email them).http://www.leg.wa.gov/legislature/As a parent or interested voter, yourJulie Stephenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04909354585457834839noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6910905485824763318.post-28731748462343203332008-02-07T18:28:00.000-08:002008-02-07T19:26:47.984-08:00Why did I join this blog?Can one person really make something happen? Can two people? Annette (co-author of this blog) and I talked and wondered what can we really do, anyway? She thought we should at least try to do something.I think I can help my own kids (ages 10, 8, 4 and baby on the way). I love being a mom and love teaching them (OK, I admit I secretly wish I was a homeschooler) and because of my son's speech & Julie Stephenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04909354585457834839noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6910905485824763318.post-85266698035229444492008-02-01T19:32:00.000-08:002008-02-13T00:13:58.696-08:00Annette's update on District newsFollowing is an explanation of what is currently going on at the district level. If you have comments, questions or thoughts you would like to share with our local school officers, it would be a great time to let your voice be heard. There is a school board round table meeting on math initiatives on March 5th at the Edmonds School District building, 20420 68th Ave west in Lynnwood. It is from Julie Stephenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04909354585457834839noreply@blogger.com0