Reply to Time for a mutiny yet? MCPS = crummy math, no grammar, poor writing

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]As someone whose kids are older (youngest is HS junior),  I want to offer a little context.

I agree the math curriculum is wretched.  However, there were significant problems with the curriculum preceding 2.0 and common core.  I think elementary math is about the same now as it was then, although there is less opportunity for acceleration.  Middle school math may have changed, although I remember parents (and math teachers) complaining about how Geometry didn't include proofs and Algebra was a fake Algebra course, where there was too much emphasis on data analysis and not enough on traditional concepts.

I agree that the Reading/English is also wretched.  It too, is basically unchanged under 2.0.  I believe they did change the reading materials to include Science and Social studies topics.  If so, I consider this a positive step.  Pre-2.0, these subjects were woefully inadequate.

[b]MCPS develops this curriculum and sells it to Pearson to market.  (MCPS had tried to market it themselves before that, largely unsuccessfully.)[/b]

This FAQ from MCPS addresses both the changes that occurred with 2.0 and relationship with Pearson.

http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/2.0/faq.aspx

The MCPS curriculum is content light in all the ways previous posters have described.  I know this both from talking to teachers and being part of a curriculum committee.  When students receive strong content instruction (i.e. grammar, handwriting, etc.), it is coming from the teacher, not as part of the curriculum, but in spite of the curriculum.  If your student has had such a teacher, consider yourself fortunate, because it's largely luck of the draw.  I have seen significant differences between 2 different teachers teaching the same grade in the same school.  There may be cases where a principal mandates specific approaches for a school; I can't speak to that.  However, in my experience, the position of ES principal is just a stepping stone resulting in rapid turnover (The average tenure of principals in my children's schools (they switched in fourth for HGC) was about 2 years.  I suspect the teacher's instructional inclinations have more impact overall on what subject matter is actually taught to your child.

[/quote]
Out of curiosity, why would anyone want to buy the 2.0 math curriculum from Pearson when Pearson has its own curriculum (e.g., enVision) that more time has been put into? Has anyone paid Pearson anything to buy 2.0?[/quote]

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