I continue to be surprised by the number of parents who hate Everyday Math. The disappointment is universal district wide.
Dr. Kelly Murray is the district's new supervisor of instruction for math and science. She explained that the math curriculum review is on her radar and she is scheduled to begin it in 2015. She was new to our district July 28, 2014 and left in October for maternity leave. Upon her return in January she will begin her assessment of what we have, and assess what our K-5 students need. Dr. Murray is exploring Everyday Math 2016, along with other curriculum. If we are getting new materials, the potential roll out would be slated for 2016-2017 school year IF everything goes smoothly.
It seems that the math curriculum is not troublesome enough at the district level to warrant it being moved up on the list of priorities, even after the disappointing presentation (or rather sales pitch for EM2016) at Parent Involvement Night. Kelly Murray seems very competent, and is working hard to get up to speed in Radnor. My concern is the continued use of Everyday Math in our district.
I am usually very optimistic, but I don't see the change happening in time to benefit my own children. Families with younger children may not even realize how bad it is until it's too late for your children, or until you are paying upwards of $300 per month for a tutor, Kumon, or Mathnasium (all of which I highly recommend). I urge you to look into this now, while there is time for your children to benefit from the change.
We’re so fortunate in Radnor to have the Best Teachers I would just like to get them the best curriculum.
I will keep at it, but will ask that you also call, write, and meet with district employees and attend the school board meetings to demand the change. We will go to the school board on 10/28, if you're interested and able please come out!
You can call and/or write to the following people:
School District:
Michael Kelly, Maureen McQuiggan,
School Board: Eric G. Zajac, Esq., President, Kimm Doherty, Vice President, Patricia Booker, Lisa Borowski, David Falcone, Charles E. Madden III, Susan Michaelson, Lydia T. Solomon, Susan Stern
The National Math Panel Report
Recommendation # 1
Recommendation # 1
The curriculum for grades K-8 should be streamlined. It should follow a coherent progression with emphasis on mastery of key topics, there should be a focus on the critical foundations for algebra, and any approach that continually revisits topics without closure should be avoided.
