Where's the Math has a new video, which is about 20 minutes but worth watching. It focuses on the schools in Bellevue, Washington. Schools in Bellevue score high on Jay Mathews' index, but this video tells a side of the story that isn't publicized very well--and it should be.
Go here and the video is labeled "Math Education in Bellevue, WA"
Thanks for the link Barry. I thought I couldn't deal with 20 minutes, but I did it.
ReplyDeleteThe best part was the talk of tutoring. I wish they followed up on that more. It may be difficult, but It would have been nice if they tried to find out the percentage of public school students who are being tutored (at home or elsewhere) and collect some of their state test scores. I suspect that it wouldn't take much to show that it really props up the overall score.
They should also push to have schools provide two math curriculum tracks in the lower grades. With so much money and so much parental demand, there is no excuse. The answer is not balance. This won't guarantee success, but it will eliminate curriculum from the debate.
Parents dissatisfied with the fuzzy math plague can go to this site:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.aaastudy.com/grade8.htm
No expensive tutor needed. The program provides endless practice of all major topics with immediate feedback. Good for K-8.
I really, really want to see Jay 'There's no such thing as constructivism' Mathews' response to this.
ReplyDeleteThis might be the best one yet. The other videos had me nodding my head in agreement; this one got me shaking with anger.
ReplyDeleteThe fellow that indicated that he would just say "NEXT" rather than hire a fuzzy math graduate who needs a lot of hand holding was great.
ReplyDeleteA real attention grabber.
I really, really want to see Jay 'There's no such thing as constructivism' Mathews' response to this.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to be sending him the link today. His response, if any, will be predictable: He will not see this as a constructivist issue at all.