>It is great to hear that “math was never a problem” wit your kids (sic).
My children never had a problem either, except for the fact that it was too easy.
So, one ended up accelerated and the other double accelerated in middle school.
Now here’s the rub. My double accelerated student is taking an algebra class over the summer to catch up to where he is supposed to be for high school algebra 2 in the fall.
You ask, how can that be, he was double accelerated and had algebra in 7th grade already. Why is he being tutored when he got an A for the class and just received an A for 8th grade Geometry?
Fortunately, his 8th grade geometry teacher recognized that his accelerated students lacked the adequate level of proficiency in algebra to go on to algebra 2 in high school. So, he took it upon himself to tutor them over the summer.
How did this happen? Didn’t these children have Ms. Debra Ives, former head of the math curriculum in Ridgewood, as their algebra teacher in 7th grade?
Why yes, they did. And Ms. Ives is no longer employed by the district. Her tenure was very brief, just over a year in Ridgewood.
This just proves that our administrators are very weak in teaching skills and judging curriculum.
Ms. Ives did not leave because of displeasure at Cottage Place. No, she left because she had alienated parents and principals alike. In fact, she was a product of the Montclair State Education cabal that rules our district and was hired by Regina Botsford.
So, my dear Miss 12:11pm, I am not “just the perpetually angry at Board of Ed” person. I am a real parent with real life experiences with the math education curriculum in this district. And you my dear may flack all you like for the BOE and their administrators but it doesn’t change the fact that things are out of whack here in Ridgewood’s education system. No amount of jaw boning or name calling is going to stop the parents, who know they are right, from demanding excellence and accountability. It is our civic responsibility.