New State School Superintendent Looking To Change Math Program

N

newsjunky

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Dr. John Barge has asked for an extensive review of the math program and is looking at what changes need to be made. He is also looking at High School Diplomas and may make changes to them. He believes that we need to create multiple pathways to get that diploma, and right now there is just one pathway."

http://jacksonville.com/news/georgia/2011-01-15/story/schools-chief-look-revamping-high-school-musical
 
It's about time. This math program they are using now in our public schools is failing. What the heck was wrong with the Math program from the 60s and 70s?
 
From the article you provided nj:

The state instituted the curriculum when this year's 11th-graders entered high school. It requires all students to take four years of math, aims to make the courses more rigorous and reorders the traditional classes. Instead of having algebra one year and geometry in another, students study all types of math concepts every year.
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What I placed in bold is the problem. Our students are not getting the ability to master one particular Math subject before moving onto the next one. I can see why students are confused as heck with the instruction they're getting under this current Math curriculum by studying several math concepts during the year. It's no wonder so many of our high school graduates are having to take remedial Math classes during their Freshman year of college. BTW, if they're using the Hope scholarship and having to take remedial Math; wouldn't you think that's a very strong indicator this Math curriculum is a failure?

When I was in high school, you had a curriculum consisting of separate classes of Algebra I, II, and III), Geometry, Trigonometry and Calculus.

We currently have two children in high school. One graduates next year and the other the year following. I will be willing to wager they will end up having to take remedial Math classes their Freshmen year in college.
 
I'm having an intersting conversation with our state rep on FB right now about Hope. You have to check it out nj.
 
She's all over the place. She sounds somewhat liberal when it comes to who should qualify for the HOPE.
 
Students in Singapore score near or at the top in international math tests, well above students in the US. A private Christian school in Augusta recognized that achievement in Singapore and now has implemented Singapore's math curriculum in their school and have seen vast improvements. I see no reason why our state board of education doesn't take a serious look at this curriculum. There would be nothing wrong in my opinion to use it.

http://chronicle.augusta.com/news/education/2010-12-05/private-school-finds-answers-singapore-method
 
I think the changes he wants to make in diplomas is something that needs to be done too. One track for all is not a good thing in my opinion. Not every child wants to go to college and they need choices.
 
I agree about every child not wanting to go to college. That's why I'm a big supporter of having good vocational education in our public school system. Another thing GA must stop doing and that's making it mandatory for every high school senior to take the SAT. It only brings down the state average and hurts us economically.
 
I wish they would bring back different diplomas. Some kids can't and won't go to college but they sure will make a great technical student somewhere. That industry is hurting for people. There is good money in all those fields.
 
I'm so happy to hear that he is true to his promise, and will be addressing the math curriculum. I'm also excited about the diploma options.

Our oldest's class (2012) is the first class that will graduate with the "one diploma" requirements. I think he was in 8th grade when we had the meeting about it. No matter how much spin they put on it, it just didn't make sense. My husband and I talked about how they tried to make it sound as if the standards would be the same for all students - and rightly so. It was evident that the standards would have to be lowered for ALL to meet them!

It's definitely past time for these issues to be addressed!
 
You guys need to give me a quick Georgia diploma education. I went to school in the Fairfax County, VA. He had to reach a minimum number of credits to graduate with a set number of math, english, science, etc. required. Some of our Junior HS (middle school here) classes could count as credits but not class hours towards our diplomas. You also had to have a minimum number of class hours each semester but that was unrelated to your diploma. Once you met your base requirements for your mandatory credits it was up to you (and your parents) what electives you took to fill your educational desires and your required class hours. Everyone got the same diploma but didn't have to take the same classes to get there. Some of the comments that you guys are making confuse me a bit with the different types of diplomas thing and such. And what's this about all seniors are required to take the SAT?

Folks here would flip if we went to the grading that is in place where I went to school. In Fairfax County you don't get an A until you score 94 or higher. 90-93 is B+.
 
When I was in high school, each year we were required to take classes in Math and English. That was a total of 4 credit hours in each to graduate. We were also required to have 2 credits in Science, 1 credit in Literature, and 3 credit hours in Social Science and 1 credit hour of Government. Civics counted as a Social Science class as did American History. You also had to have 4 credits of Physical Education as well as 3 credits in electives.
 
unionmom said:
You guys need to give me a quick Georgia diploma education. I went to school in the Fairfax County, VA. He had to reach a minimum number of credits to graduate with a set number of math, english, science, etc. required. Some of our Junior HS (middle school here) classes could count as credits but not class hours towards our diplomas. You also had to have a minimum number of class hours each semester but that was unrelated to your diploma. Once you met your base requirements for your mandatory credits it was up to you (and your parents) what electives you took to fill your educational desires and your required class hours. Everyone got the same diploma but didn't have to take the same classes to get there. Some of the comments that you guys are making confuse me a bit with the different types of diplomas thing and such. And what's this about all seniors are required to take the SAT?

Folks here would flip if we went to the grading that is in place where I went to school. In Fairfax County you don't get an A until you score 94 or higher. 90-93 is B+.
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Right now all students are on one track (College Prep) basically. Most are required to pass the equivalent of Algebra II to graduate. It is unrealistic and I believe it causes more kids to drop out. When my Son graduated the diplomas all looked the same except there was more than one track. If you took the college prep track the diploma had a seal on it that let employers and colleges know that at a glance. I could be wrong but I expect trouble on the CRCTs this year from this new math. The fault (if it happens) won't rest with the schools or the kids it will be because of the system. Dr. Barge believes this is a problem too and wants to see more choice in vocational school options. I agree with him.
 
I also keep hearing about the no books thing. The way they teach math at the elementary level is hard enough for us old dogs to help our kids with when there are no books, I can't imagine what it is like at the higher levels. My poor son, his father and I are both math folks and we know the basic way to do math and he's got these weird "tricks" that seem to us to make it all more complicated than it needs to be. How are we supposed to help him when he gets into the higher levels of math?!? We basically end up having to reteach him and then he gets to class with the right answer but not getting there the way his teacher wants him to.
 
Dr. Barge does think kids need books for math. He also thinks something like the Kindle could be used to down load books. Lots of ideas out there and no money in the budget. ??? :(
 
newsjunky said:
Dr. Barge does think kids need books for math. He also thinks something like the Kindle could be used to down load books. Lots of ideas out there and no money in the budget. ??? :(
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If I knew that my son's lessons would 100% be available for download, I'd buy a kindle for use here at home. I know not every family is able to do that but I'd love to see that as an available option for the families in our school system.
 
unionmom said:
newsjunky said:
Dr. Barge does think kids need books for math. He also thinks something like the Kindle could be used to down load books. Lots of ideas out there and no money in the budget. ??? :(
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If I knew that my son's lessons would 100% be available for download, I'd buy a kindle for use here at home. I know not every family is able to do that but I'd love to see that as an available option for the families in our school system.
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I think a lot of folks would. I would buy them for my Grandchildren. I am with you, they need books.
 
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