>1. I am in support of the parents in Ridgewood who are attempting to rid the district of reform math, I am also involved in that in Somerset County.
2. We are fortunately having success and it seems likely that EveryDAY math will be bye, bye very soon.
3. I’m writing to post this positive article about our District:
https://www.mycentraljersey.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080912/NEWS/809120356/1012/NEWS0201
Bridgewater-Raritan school board continues ‘Everyday Math’ debate
KARA L. RICHARDSON
STAFF WRITER
Parents and Bridgewater-Raritan Regional Board of Education members spent most of a meeting this week blasting a controversial math program that is under district review.
A committee of parents and educators convened Tuesday, Sept. 9, to study the Everyday Math program and recommended that the district seek an alternative math program.
Now, a team of Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District educators, headed by Assistant Superintendent Cheryl Dyer, will review the program. Their charge is to seek alternatives to Everyday Math, which the district has used since 1998.
Everyday Math is a comprehensive program that uses everyday examples to teach math concepts. It differs from a traditional program because it:
— Uses calculators from the beginning of the education process (even in kindergarten)
— Has a “spiral” method of teaching that revisits at each level, so that each school year begins with a review of what was taught before
— Uses games, puzzles and activities to illustrate concepts.
Dozens of parents attended Tuesday’s meeting to voice their opinions about the program, which is typically well-liked by educators. They said students — from special needs to advanced — struggle with the program and can’t perform basic math tasks.
Board President Cynthia Cullen and board members Arvind Mathur and Jill Gladstone blasted the program. Other board members such as Evan Lerner and Jeffrey Brookner also discussed their desire to select another math program for students.
“I cannot in good faith support the Everyday Math program,” Cullen said. “I do not see it working for my children. I don’t buy the spiraling concept — before there’s mastery, you move on to the next subject. To me, it’s a major waste of time to be doing a review of the processes.”
Cullen said the program had an “excessive use of calculators. When you have kindergartners using a calculator rather than their fingers, you have a problem. When you ask kids what 9 times 9 is, they should be able to tell you. They shouldn’t have to say, “Oh, let me get my calculator. Oh, I can get my cell phone. That has a calculator on it.’ “
Superintendent Michael Schilder said that when the Everyday Math Committee report — which included his recommendations — was made public last month, several people contacted him in favor and against keeping the program.
“If I’m going to defend a controversial program to this community, I need to have proof that it’s better,” Schilder said about the educator’s review process.
That process should be complete by February 2009.
John Schiemann and Kalpana Vijayakumar, the parents who served on the original Everyday Math Committee, were miffed that the district was going to have another review of the program by educators instead of just seeking another program.
Virginia Schrum of Bridgewater said that her 9th-grade daughter, who is in five honors classes, and her 8th-grade daughter, who has special needs, struggle with Everyday Math.
Many parents also said they have had to send their children to private tutoring just to be able to keep up with basic math skills.
Sara Di Grazia said the program’s “spiraling” concept is “downright cruel for kids with special needs.”
“I implore you to really look at this very seriously and find another program.”
Kara L. Richardson can be
reached at 908-707-3186 or
krichardson@mycentraljersey.com.