i:\doc\web\99\07\plano.txt Date sent: Wed, 12 May 1999 8:25:1 Subject: [education-consumers] New Math Program in Portland...and Plano, Texas To: "ClearingHouse" From: "Susan Sarhady" Send reply to: "Susan Sarhady" ===================================================================== See two new Policy Briefings on how teacher training is accredited and how value-added assessment provides a better means of identifying well trained teachers. ===================================================================== I am part of a parent's group that has been fighting the implementation of Connected Math in Plano, Texas' middle schools. We have been fighting this change for over a year. In spite of widespread parent opposition, our school board voted in May to adopt this program starting next year. Only 6 school districts in Texas, out of about 1025, adopted this program this year. A dismal failure for "reform math" I would think. Texas adopts new textbooks every 7 years and Connected Math was on the list because of the efforts of the Texas Statewide Systemic Initiative. Texas also reviews textbooks for conformance to Texas Essential Knowledge and skills elements (state mandated curriciculum standards) and Connected Math was found to adhere to just over 50% of these at each grade level. The California State Board of Education rejected Connected Math from the state approved textbook list because of "factual errors" though I have not been able to get hold of a copy of the actual report. Because our school board refused to even determine support for this program by sending out a poll to the affected parents, we recently started a petition drive. So, far we have mailed over 5000 petitions to parents of next years middle schoolers. It is still very early in the game, but we have already received hundreds of petitions asking for an alternative math program. If you want an alternative, do not give up the fight. We will be working to oust this program from our curriculum for many years to come, if necessary. The by-product is that parents are suddenly more aware of what is being taught at the middle school level, and many will be home-schooling or getting tutoring for their children in math. So, I guess in that way, we have succeeded. You can see more on our website at http://cmpinpisd.freeservers.com . Sue Sarhady ===================================================================== EDUCATION CONSUMERS CLEARINGHOUSE networking and information for parents and taxpayers on the internet Subscriptions & Archives: http://education-consumers.com or You are currently subscribed to education-consumers as: arthurhu@halcyon.com TO UNSUBSCRIBE: Send a blank email to leave-education-consumers-989462S@lists.dundee.net ===================================================================== For less mail, click on the following link and choose 1) a daily digest, 2) a daily list of subjects, or 3) no mail (read postings on Web) http://lists.dundee.net/scripts/lyris.pl?enter=education-consumers For more help & info: http://www.lyris.com/help or