f:\doc\web\2004\04\discalg.txt
From: Raylene Skok [mailto:raylene.skok earthlink.net]
Sent: Friday, April 23, 2004 1:59 PM
To: arthurhu@comcast.net
Subject: CMP Program in Everett School District

Mr. Hu,
Bravo to you for putting a voice to many of us frustrated parents.  We are
having the same difficulty with the CMP program (and have for two years) at
the pre-algebra and algebra I levels.  "Discovering Algebra", the
constructivist high school program is just as bad.  We spent two hours last
night trying to explain how to solve a quadratic equation to our 8th grade
daughter.  She had been given no tools, or reason for solving these
problems.  Never mind that any pre-algebra student shouldn't even be exposed
to quadratic equations out of the blue!  Of course, the teacher responded to
my livid e-mail with a report of "all students" needing additional time on
this unit...I guess just to pacify my husband and I.  Our frustrations (and
other parents as well) are beyond description.

I write to you to ask if you had any positive reponse to your letter to the
Lake Washington School Board.  I understand Bellevue has discontinued using
CMP and Investigations.  Any information I can take to the Everett school
board that is anti-CMP is ammunition to we parents who are fed up.

Thanks for your time,
Raylene Skok