Whitman Cluster Elem Schools - 1/4 Mtg re: changes in math curriculm

[Anonymous]

Did anyone attend this meeting at Carderock ES, and if so can y summarize/report back? I couldn't attend bc of a last minute conflict. Thanks so much.

[Anonymous]

I went. Thought it was pretty good. Seems like the main idea is to simplify the curriculum by cutting the number of topics (no more patterns or probability in the early grades). They also plan to curtail the en masse accelerations. Goal is to learn more deeply than broadly and to be able to apply and explain concepts rather than just regurgitate computational facts. My impression is that the standard track will be for most kids to take Algebra in 8th grade. There seemed to be emphasis that kids who genuinely need acceleration will be challenged... they were fuzzy on details, however.

I'd be interested to hear others' impressions.

[Anonymous]

Churchill cluster here-it's about damn time. After 10 years of complaints MCPS acknowledges the math curriculum is a mile wide and and inch deep. They developed a bastardized version of Everyday Math to shove down our throats. Had to get a batch of kids through K-12 and into college where their math weakness become glaring. Ask them about the pilot they did several years ago using the Singapore Math curriculum. It was very successful but for some unknown reason MCPS decided to pull the plug and abandon the program. PTA members with more insider info than me said that it was because the MCPS Math department didn't actually know what to do with it and if it was widely used they would be out of a job.
OK I'm bitter, sorry.

[Anonymous]

All Whitman Cluster school
PTA Presidents have the
power point presentation
from the math meeting &
can email it to you.