>
Visit www.vormath.info
VORMATH went straight to the horses mouth. They contacted The Star Ledger regarding the “RANK school performance” tool.
The Star Ledger did some minor tweaks to their tool. It is a rank. It is in list format. And it still shows Travell lagging the other elementary schools in the Ridgewood District.
Way to go math moms.
>Thanks for posting this PJ. This is such a great service to us who can’t make the board meetings.
>more videos can be found on youTube … just type into the search field ‘Ridgewood math’
>Ok,Dear BOE. Now we can tell the kids: It is just a paper(test) getting 50% means you pass.
You knew 50% of the answers we are on the right track. You have an F you are doing great.
Give me a break!
>BORED members are always so gosh darn defensive. Surely they would have gloated and praised the Star Ledger had we been in the top 10 but we haven’t been on that list for a quarter century.
>Aren’t the results of these infamous “lists” used to qualified Ridgewood schools on the prestigious J District?
>The tests DON’T matter when Travell NJ ASK drops in all grades.
The tests DO matter when Orchard passes with flying colors in the 5th grade(no TERC early victims were tested in that grade).
The tests DON’T matter when they are good in BF and you buy a new curriculum any way.
The tests DO matter when Travell shows improvement after a few years of TERC and parents spend tutoring dollars.
So now it’s official, the tests DO matter…unless it’s Monday in July and the moon is full…then they DON’T matter.
>This board has a distinct reality that is not the reality with which we and our children must live.
Try telling the colleges to which your children are applying that rankings of their schools and of themselves are “just a list” and see if that gets them in.
You never know. It works for the BOE and the HSA mommies that back them up regardless.
>These speakers should sell vaccum cleaners door to door.
It just sounds so robotic and that they really don’t have a clue.
Wait 5-6 years when our kids start filling in applications–Ridgewood will not rank well at the receiving end of these apps.
>But Ridgewood will continue to do well enough, and therefore nothing will change.
That’s because we’re all shelling out thousands for some real teaching, which we need to seek outside of the public school.
What an irony.
>All stats can be viewed different ways. It is unfair and franky, insulting, of the BOE to say well look at the passing rates and not the rankings. Shouldn’t we question why the rankings are falling so dramatically if the passing rate is increasing?
This implies that other school’s passing rates are rising above ours and hence our children and lagging behind their peers. We are failing our children by not looking at the whole picture.
>We set high standards for our children and yet the board members are fine and dandy with mediocre standards. Why is that? Could it be because the majority of board members no longer have kids in the district?
>Also, I still don’t understand how most of the presentations defend TERC specifically. When Regina Botsford presented the “rigor” of first grade, what is that saying to Hawes and Williard? Is there traditional program then not rigorous? Is it falling them?
>BORED members are always so gosh darn defensive…These speakers should sell vaccum cleaners door to door…It just sounds so robotic and that they really don’t have a clue.
Once again, The Ridgewood Blog “jumps the shark” with ad hominem attacks by the Lunatic Fringe that focuses on style instead of substance.
If it’s so boring and robotic, then why don’t *you* fill out a candidate form for the next BOE election. Then *you* can provide better entertainment during Monday BOE meetings — perhaps a little singing? a little dancing?
And please, don’t respond with baloney about how “the inner circle ” of the BOE always elects “their own”. There is no inner circle. Mr Vallerini & Ms Lenhard didn’t get there by knowing the secret handshake.
Time to step up, LF’ers, and show everyone how you would do it better. Otherwise, village residents will continue to laugh at you as a bunch of cranks who are all talk but no action.
Au revoir,
WTLF
>12:13PM
“When Regina Botsford presented the “rigor” of first grade, what is that saying to Hawes and Williard? Is there traditional program then not rigorous? Is it falling them? “
Hawes and Willard may be in for a surprise if the town takes the pressure off of the BOE. TERC may be coming their way soon.
>Time to step up, LF’ers, and show everyone how you would do it better. Otherwise, village residents will continue to laugh at you as a bunch of cranks who are all talk but no action.
the video speaks for it self you sound desperate chucky
no offense chucky but voters did step up when they kicked you out
as for jumping the shark..the BOE did that along time ago with this stupid terc junk that has ruined the school system .
once you guys destroy the school system this town will turn into a pile of crap like the rest of that state
>a pile of crap like the rest of that state
“That” state?!?
Sounds like you are an “outsider” (as the Ridgewood Blog labeled a poster from Michigan).
Why would anyone from New Jersey listen to the rantings of an outsider who calls our great state “a pile of crap”?
>I am a very concerned Hawes parent with 2 kids going into BF in the next few years. I posted my strong opposition to TERC on that “other” blog in town today…to their credit…it was put up on the site. I was approached late last year by some people in town to run for BOE president…but after consideration, I turned down the offer….I regret that I did.
It was before I was tuned into what was going on with the reform math movement in town.
I am going to put my money where my mouth is and actually run for office next school board election…
Believe me when I say that I am very qualified to be on the board(more so then some other folks currently on the board)..and I actually have two kids that will be in the school system for the next 10 years so I have a vested interest in making this right.
Not going to reveal who I am at this point…but I will announce when the time is right and you all will be the first to know…..
>Poor poor charlie (WTLF) I remember with fondness when you were president of the boe and you would be ranting and raving into the microphone, red in the face, spittle flying out of your mouth, and stumbling over your words. You miss that, don’t ya? I just picture you now in front of your computer in a dark room sitting all alone without an audience but still red in the face, spittle flying out of your mouth and your fingers stumbling over the keyboard polluting PJ’s blog with your endless rants and raves. It’s getting old, Charlie. You need to cease and desist immediately. You may live longer.
>TO WTLF (Charlie Reilly) :):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):)
>yes I said a pile of crap …and all the politicians demogogs and red republicans … and yes I live in Ridgewood but I am looking to make my escape along with everyone else
>visit http://www.vormath.info
the ladies seemed to have found out if its a list or a ranking
way to go math moms!
>yes I live in Ridgewood but I am looking to make my escape along with everyone else
great, don’t let the door hit ya on the way out
sheesh, why do we even bother with these new jersey-hating kooks?
>I don’t think that i have ever seen such a pathetic example of “group think” ever than when the BOE is together. Eric Hoffer would be proud to use this group as a prime example of “the True Believer(s)”(the “s” is mine.). It’s the quiet ones (Botsford and Ives) that are calling the shots that are ruining this school system. We can’t let them get away with it. There’s alot of TERC like money at Montclair and a teaching position may be opening up there soon too.
>Potential BOE candidate…
Be prepared to be publicly embarassed by the BOE…(see Carole Nunn, Frances Edwards and Math Moms)…
Be prepared to be stonewalled in BOE meetings…
Look for a partner candidate so you can take both seats…Bombace and Brogan
Email VORMATH when ready and they will endorse you along with this blog.
>Sheila should be voted out because of those odd hairclips.
>None of this explains why there are different programs in each of the schools…
>”group think”…worry about the quiet ones…”follow the money”…etc. etc.
this is the lamest collection of re-fried conspiracy theories I’ve ever seen
can one you conspiranuts produce a least a single shred of evidence — anything — that “follows the money” and links TERC to the personal financial benefit of anyone on the BOE or in the administration? something with a dollar sign & a name on it? maybe a single receipt or bank statement?
without any evidence, village residents will continue laughing at you as a bunch of cranks living in your own paranoid fantasy world
adios,
WTLF
>yes I live in Ridgewood but I am looking to make my escape along with everyone else
great, don’t let the door hit ya on the way out
sheesh, why do we even bother with these new jersey-hating kooks?
too remind all of you that this used to be a nice state ,well run and a great place to raise kids ,now its a dump,with high taxes going broke ,corrupt like a banna republic wake up people !
and as for Ridgewood the secret is folks we used to have the best schools in the whole country before the TERC JERKS took over
>Dear WTLF,
Perhaps it is a bit far fetched to insinuate a money connection to the BOE and the TERC program. However can you or anyone else explain a reason to perpetuate such an ill conceived program for our children? With all of the information thus presented over the span of many months contrary to the Boards’ unwaivering position they still press forward with their agenda. The proverbial you know what is going to hit the fan when all of these children take their SAT’s. It is then that the real concrete “wisdom” of the Board will rear its ugly head. And guess what, no one will be held accountable. Some of the brightest mathematicians and educators in this country have decried this math as a sham. Don’t you think we should heed their warnings? If not money then what else could it possibly be?
>Mr. Lunatic….
“can one you conspiranuts produce a least a single shred of evidence — anything — that “follows the money” and links TERC to the personal financial benefit of anyone on the BOE or in the administration? “
You are right. It will take years of OPRA Forms and we might not find a money connection.
It’s just TERC is so bad you’d have to be paid to put it into a school system!!!
>Charles Reilly doesn’t look like Chuckie the doll (Chuckie is too cute). Mr. Reilly does, though, strike a remarkable resemblance to “Charlie the Tuna.” And we all know that the fish stinks at the head.
>charlie the tuna ha ha ha is that why the boe “canned” him ha ha ha
>Now, let us not get personal. No need to call Charlie names here.
Attack the idea not the person.
>And here I thought reverse psychology only worked on little kiddies. You guys keep telling this Reilly fella to leave and he keeps coming back to post on PJ’s blog. This blog will always be #1 because it attracts posters on both sides of the issue. The ridgewood one-sided lopsided view blog will always be #2 doo doo because only their leftie lunatic people post on it. So, Reilly guy keep going away.
PJ YOUR BLOG ROCKS!!!!
the ridgewood view blog is ho hum boooooorrrrrrrring elevator music zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
>your right 6:27 am — the idea of Charlie gives me a headache
>However can you or anyone else explain a reason to perpetuate such an ill conceived program for our children?
9:15 — Good question. As I’ve said all along, I am somewhat skeptical about TERC, mostly because it’s new and is not the way I was taught math (when growing up in the great state of New Jersey).
But there are parents & educators who support TERC. You probably read the article in last week’s Ridgewood News that interviewed 3 Travell moms who like the program. I know at least 2 other Travell families whose parents see good things in TERC. Are all of those families “in it for the money”, too?
There are educators who oppose TERC (e.g., the Stanford & NYU profs), but there are others who support it (e.g., the prof from Michigan). Are all of the TERC supporters in academia “in it for the money”, too?
There’s no consensus among parents or educators that TERC is a “sham”. So jumping to the “money” conclusion without a shred of evidence is a weak argument.
Sincerely,
WTLF
>Wouldn’t it be better for board members to step up to the plate and say that there is always room for improvement and we will keep striving as a district? Parents would respect that more than the defensive remarks made in the video.
>Dear Mr. Lunatic,
“There’s no consensus among parents or educators that TERC is a “sham”. So jumping to the “money” conclusion without a shred of evidence is a weak argument.”
You may not know that California has standards that will not allow reform math program, such as TERC or CMP, to be used in its classrooms. Therefore this program is “banned” from the state of California.
The reason is they implemented it in 1992 and the states test scores fell. So they removed it in 1999.
That’s a large test case…
Most parents are united on this issue in other places where TERC is used…NYC, Washington State, Plainview Old Bethpage, Illinois.
Ridgewood is one of the few places that has parents who won’t speak against the school because they can not separate not liking the curriculum from liking the school. There is also a “don’t complain, just hire a tutor” attitude prevalent in Ridgewood.
If parents want this, divide the schools and allow choice.
It is naive to deny the existence of money in the business of curriculum publishing and educational training. Montclair State makes money selling CMP classes to our town, Pearson makes money selling CMP to our town, Pearson gets to put “Ridgewood” up on a slide when they try to sell more TERC or CMP2 ot other towns. The Pearson Rep may throw big parties…who knows?
Mr. Goldenberg even says he “trains” teachers, so yes, he may have a vested interest.
The NYU Math professor and the Stanford professor spoke against TERC because their children had it in their schools. That’s a different type of vested interest.
It is curious that all of our business is moving toward Pearson Publishing…from what I can see TERC2 wasn’t compared to any other vendors product. (Houghton Mifflin, Singapore, Saxon.)
So people will mention money because it is amazing that Ridgewood would buy this.
>In general, I find that parents who are supporters of TERC either:
1. Are friends with teachers who use TERC and so they want to be “loyal”
or
2. Have had bad experiences in the past with poor math teaching or lack of their own understanding, or see that their kids struggle with math and are hopeful this will meet their needs better than traditional math.
The first reason, to my mind, is not valid. The second has merit. That’s why choice might be something to consider.
However, it begs the qusetion: how early do we identify potential math strugglers? Is it parents’ choice? Does it return us to tracking?
Tracking really did do kids more favors than do mixed ability groups.
There’s a third group, too. There are those who are wary but want to give it a try.
None of the three groups can produce any evidence, though. It’s mosty emotional. Only the concerned math parents seem to have done their homework, and they are left very concerned.
>For the BOE:
Why buy a program (TERC) that is controversial when so many non-controversial options are available?
Why put so many children at risk of learning from an experimental and controversial program while at the same time claiming that “we care about the children?”
Why?
>7:30 & 7:31 —
That’s a large test case…
But it’s not a consensus
Ridgewood is one of the few places that has parents who won’t speak against the school
Really? 200 people in Ridgewood signed the anti-TERC petition. Every week, there are YouTube videos of Ridgewood parents coming to the microphone during Monday BOE meetings. Doesn’t seem like we have parents cowering in fear, afraid to speak out against TERC.
Mr. Goldenberg even says he “trains” teachers, so yes, he may have a vested interest.
Emphasis on “may have”
Once more I ask: where is the evidence (not innuendo) that only vested interests support TERC?
In general, I find that parents who are supporters of TERC either:
1. Are friends with teachers who use TERC and so they want to be “loyal”
or
2. Have had bad experiences in the past with poor math teaching or lack of their own understanding
The 2 families that I cited in Travell are neither of these. They aren’t “loyalists” with friends as teachers, and they had good math education of their own.
Instead, both of these families have kept an open mind when it comes to TERC. I think they would fall into your third group: wary but willing to give it a try.
And these parents read arguments like those posted here — “follow the money”, “socialist educators”, etc. etc. — as a lot of crazy talk by people with their own agenda.
>Two of the parents that spoke to the ridgewood news in favor of TERC had their kids with a teacher that new what balance is all about. This teacher taught formulas and regular algorithms. My child had this particular teacher. My child did great. Did they received TERC math? NOT Did they get a balance approach? YES EXCEPT at the end when the “pilot program” was in effect. I beleive those parents are being honest when they say their kids did great therfore they like TERC. However I do not beleive they are well inform about TERC and REFORM math. I hope they are lucky enough to have a wonderful teacher next year. One that will “revel” somehow and continue the balance education thir children received last year.
>I agree with 7:12. We’re not first on anybody’s list and so let’s roll up our sleeves and work toward that goal. TERC is a roadblock towards that goal.
>8:59 –
Sounds like
— 3 people had a similar experience (i.e. same teacher, same curriculum).
— 2 people came away with one opinion and 1 person (you) came away with another.
So what makes *you* better informed about TERC than *both* of them?
>It’s really true that the waters are muddied by the immense variation in how teachers use it.
But it seems that in classrooms that are the most purist, there are the most problems.
Likewise, the happiest parents may be those whose kids had seasoned teachers–the ones that know that fads come and go, and who largely stick to their own citical thinking instead of some dogma about “how all children learn.”
>Mr. Lunatic,
“Doesn’t seem like we have parents cowering in fear, afraid to speak out against TERC.”
Yes, we do. The VORMATH received calls from parents who were afraid there would be retribution against their kids. That is why they now allow for paper signing.
The VORMATH people thought this was not a valid complaint and that our Principals were more professional than that, but there was the incident of the Hawes Principal calling parents. This may have been innocent, but it scared a few people off from signing the petition.
So there is some fear and uncomfortable feelings that folks have about speaking out and signing petitions. That’s why 200 names may only be the scratching the surface of discontent in this town.
>so 3 or 4 people make private phone calls to VORMATH
while 200 people sign a public petition…dozens of whom appear on camera at public BOE meetings…all criticizing TERC
and we’re supposed to believe that this is a crisis of people “cowering in fear”???
c’mon, you’re joking…right?
>It’s no joke. I’ve been harassed myself.
Why do you think so many people speak anonymously?
Parents in this district have been mistreated, put down, harassed, and intimidated. One parent was told by an administrator, after innocently inquiring about the math, to “get a life.”
Plus, we already don’t want to make waves with the school because we want a positive environment for our kids.
It’s a murky political environment when it touches your kids. Even parents who ordinarily are bold about advocating for change are more likely to cower when it comes to the school.
Therefore, many parents prefer to stay quiet, and do what they can to privately ask their child’s teacher to make accomodations. Such arrangements don’t lead to the revolutionary change needed at this point, and it’s unfair to those families who don’t ask for changes for their own kids.
The real truth is that there’s an undercurrent of broad discontent, and nobody knows what to do. It’s sad. We’re overpowered.
And yet…we’re taxpayers. How did this happen?
>Why do you think so many people speak anonymously?
Speaking for myself, I seriously considered signing the petition, but chose not to.
Our kids have not been exposed to TERC or other forms of “reform math” in the school system — at least, not yet. But the information provided by Linda Moran and the VORMATH blogger has persuaded me that TERC may not be the best answer for our kids. (btw, kudos to Ms Moran & the VORMATH person for all their hard work).
Unfortunately, however, the Math Moms’ cause has been hijacked by the Lunatic Fringe. I did not want my name to be publicly linked with the “usual suspects” of village cranks, i.e., the conspiracy theorists, BOE haters, professional complainers, Ridgewood haters, frivolous lawsuit filers, Jersey haters, and assorted other persons in the village who seem to have problems with authority figures.
So it is quite possible that, for every concerned parent who has remained anonymous due to the BOE, just as many have remained anonymous due to the LF.
Sincerely I remain,
WTLF
>Unfortunately, however, the Math Moms’ cause has been hijacked by the Lunatic Fringe. I did not want my name to be publicly linked with the “usual suspects” of village cranks, i.e., the conspiracy theorists, BOE haters, professional complainers, Ridgewood haters, frivolous lawsuit filers, Jersey haters, and assorted other persons in the village who seem to have problems with authority figures.
… so thats why your posting on here chucky