tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post4936703447544249329..comments2024-01-08T03:21:35.616-05:00Comments on DeKalb County School Watch: Back to math...Cerebrationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comBlogger56125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-71435404573661536982010-10-10T15:10:59.749-04:002010-10-10T15:10:59.749-04:00This is a new post from greatschools.org
The new...This is a new post from greatschools.org<br /><br /><i> The new new new math?<br />First there was math, then "new math," then "reform math," then “everyday math,” and now ... Singapore math? According to a recent New York Times article, the imported curriculum is gaining popularity at U.S. schools for its slower approach to the study of numbers, symbols, and equations — “slow math” if you will. (How slow? One school in Franklin Lakes, N.J., spent an entire week on just the numbers 1 and 2 with its kindergartners.)<br /><br />By covering fewer topics in greater detail early on, instructors aim to give children a deeper grasp of mathematical concepts — and hopefully replicate the stellar scores of Singapore students on international math exams. Taught at both public and private schools (like the elite Sidwell Friends School attended by President Obama’s daughters), Singapore math offers a mix of traditional and reform math methods, “melding old-fashioned algorithms with visual representations and critical thinking.”<br /><br />However, some school districts and parents aren’t so sure that foreign textbooks — would mentions of curry puffs or exotic rambutan fruit be lost on the average American kid? — and expensive teacher training are the best way to boost U.S. students' slipping math skills.<br /><br />What about at your school? Would you like it to give Singapore math a try?</i><br /><br />oh boy!<br /><br /><a href="http://blogs.greatschools.org/greatschoolsblog/2010/10/is-singapore-math-the-new-math.html?cpn=20101010weeklysend" rel="nofollow">The new new new math?</a>Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-66154736664054576032010-10-02T23:42:33.357-04:002010-10-02T23:42:33.357-04:00@ Anonymous 11:21
Look at this repost below. Spe...@ Anonymous 11:21<br /><br />Look at this repost below. Special Education teachers make up 20% of our teachers. They should be providing the help you need with those 20% of students:<br /><br />Repost:<br />Numbers of DCSS teachers who are NOT grade level teachers or content area teachers: 2981<br />This includes:<br />Library Media Specialists:<br />161<br />Special Area Teachers:<br />1369<br />(Special Education Adapted PE, Pre-K Sp.Ed., Psycho-Ed Sp.Ed., Sp. Ed Interrelated, Sp. Ed. Specialist, Sp. Ed. Autistic, Sp. Ed. Emotional Behavior, Sp. Ed. Hearing Impaired, Teacher of Mild Intellectual, Teacher of Moderate Intellectual, Teacher of Orthopedic Impairment, Teacher of Other Health Impairment, Teacher Of Severely Intell. Impaired, Teacher of specific Learning Disability, Teacher of Visually Impaired, Speech –Language Pathologist, Adapted PE teacher:<br />1,369<br />Other Instructional Providers:<br />42<br />Instructional Specialists (Art, PE, Music, Band, Orchestra elementary teachers):<br />445<br />Gifted:<br />87<br />ESOL:<br />154<br />Early Intervention Specialists:<br />128<br />Instructional Coaches (America’s Choice Instructional Coaches, Literacy Coaches and Graduation Coaches):<br />80<br />Exploratory Teachers:<br />46<br />Hospital Homebound:<br />1<br />Vocational Teachers:<br />207<br />Related Vocational Teachers:<br />11<br />World Languages in high school and Connections teachers in middle school<br />250 (estimated)<br /><br />Approximately 3,500 teachers out of 6,500 teachers teach grades 1, 2, 3, 4 ,5 and the content areas of science, math, Language Arts and Social Studies. <br />So complete responsibility for AYP rests on less around 3,500 employees out of 15,859 total employees.<br /><br />Do you see why grade level and content area teachers have the most paperwork and the most pressure? Do you see why we have difficulty attracting the best of our science and math brains into DeKalb Schools?<br /><br />source: state Salary and Travel auditAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-7751234510001516802010-10-02T23:21:40.229-04:002010-10-02T23:21:40.229-04:00I'm a high school math teacher in DeKalb. I...I'm a high school math teacher in DeKalb. I'll tell you the main issue I see; Special Education is broken. Education would be mostly OK if it weren't for the Special Ed issues in the classroom.<br /><br />There are 34 kids in each of my classes. There are about 6 in each class (ALL of them Special Ed) who routinely disrupt the class and slow down the learning process considerably. <br /><br />6 out of 34 is almost 20%, so I suppose that the 80-20 rule applies. I'm certainly spending 80 percent of MY time on 20 percent of the students. 80% of the review and support time is spent (mostly without significant gains) on these 6 students). And 80% of my parental followup time is spent on these students. What does this say?<br /><br />I'm a compassionate person, but these are kids who simply DON'T BELONG in a regular ed classroom setting. It's NOT lifting them up. It's dragging the entire classroom down.<br /><br />If I could get the 5 lowest performers out of every class, I'm positive there would be a substantial improvement in the capabilities of the remaining 29 kids. <br /><br />No child left behind, in my mind, has become No Child Gets Ahead. And the reason we are rated so low internationally, is that NO OTHER COUNTRY EVEN ATTEMPTS TO EDUCATE EVERY STUDENT. They're measuring their best performers, not ALL of their students. <br /><br />Oh well.... what do I know. I'm just a dumb math teacher trying desperately to do my best.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-37878492299027476152010-09-25T10:51:11.120-04:002010-09-25T10:51:11.120-04:00The Math Frameworks need to be printed out in orde...The Math Frameworks need to be printed out in order to be used. There are five or six units a year. The second unit is 73 pages for my grade level. Ok. That is a lot of cartridge ink. Teachers all over the county have to print these out. If the county wants us to use this information, how are suppose to be paying for it? Cartridges for the county are rather limited with all cost saving measures. Many classrooms do not even have printers or they are broken. New printers for everyone is a need not a want!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-87617204250019217562010-09-25T09:10:18.935-04:002010-09-25T09:10:18.935-04:00One more thing (and it's probably been said be...One more thing (and it's probably been said before), I don't think the 4x4 block system is working. I just don't think that making a kid, who doesn't like math in the first place, essentially take two math courses every year. It's a brow-beat-down.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-88922741932378535142010-09-25T09:06:43.659-04:002010-09-25T09:06:43.659-04:00I teach high school math in DeKalb. Listen, math ...I teach high school math in DeKalb. Listen, math is math - no matter what the titles of the courses. The new curriculum is fine. The problem, I feel, is that DeKalb did not take the time and use the money it takes to provide superior resources. They didn't even provide adequate resources. Without these resources, many children will not do a well as they can.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-56940020918661097422010-09-23T21:30:28.151-04:002010-09-23T21:30:28.151-04:00I just went to the state DOE Standards.org webpage...I just went to the state DOE Standards.org webpage. There is nothing new under either the Standards or the Frameworks webpage. <br /><br />I think Forsyth County is just stepping away from the HS math program. Although I don't see how the students will fare on the EOCT.<br /><br />If anyone has a link to new HS math standards please post.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-43739594473904590212010-09-23T21:29:52.290-04:002010-09-23T21:29:52.290-04:00I just went to the state DOE Standards.org webpage...I just went to the state DOE Standards.org webpage. There is nothing new under either the Standards or the Frameworks webpage. <br /><br />I think Forsyth County is just stepping away from the HS math program. Although I don't see how the students will fare on the EOCT.<br /><br />If anyone has a link to new HS math standards please post.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-37266765616539299562010-09-23T12:00:30.121-04:002010-09-23T12:00:30.121-04:00The math model DCSS uses is state maandated and i...The math model DCSS uses is state maandated and if the state allows us to change we will ASAP. We didn't pick, we weren't happy with it and don't blame the state cirriculum on us unless you want to blame us for the Kennedy assination and global warming.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-54423095118889709342010-09-23T11:28:50.493-04:002010-09-23T11:28:50.493-04:00Send an email to Martha Reichrath. She is in char...Send an email to Martha Reichrath. She is in charge of this at the DOE.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-85262989713635120672010-09-23T11:22:13.361-04:002010-09-23T11:22:13.361-04:00Does anyone have a contact at DOE that we can veri...Does anyone have a contact at DOE that we can verify this? We need to be sure that we push DeKalb to adopt the change ASAP...not to wait another year!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-47849126637293242712010-09-23T09:32:41.051-04:002010-09-23T09:32:41.051-04:00I am so baffled.
The math teachers in Forsyth say...I am so baffled.<br /><br />The math teachers in Forsyth say the state has abandoned the Math curriculum. They told me the new grids are out, and they feature the Algebra, Geometry, Algebra II, etc, progression. I asked them if this was just Forsyth County and they said no, it's statewide. I am wondering if the state actually has just granted leeway for those school systems that want to change. But know, our brethren are abandoning the model DCSS is using.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-45636041852797445382010-09-23T09:02:01.008-04:002010-09-23T09:02:01.008-04:00I agree with 8:34 a.m. Except your emails and lett...I agree with 8:34 a.m. Except your emails and letters need to go to Brad Bryant and Martha Reichrath at the State BOE and to the two candidates running for state school superintendent.<br /><br />They control the high school math curriculum.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-48607412176772613332010-09-23T08:34:27.126-04:002010-09-23T08:34:27.126-04:00If you talk with high school parents at Lakeside, ...If you talk with high school parents at Lakeside, Druid Hills, Dunwoody and Chamblee, you will find that most of the students have math tutors and Math study groups. The Math certified teacher who tutored my child last year told us this year that she could not in good conscience continue to tutor my child as many of the concepts were beyond her expertise. We changed to a Georgia Tech/ MIT trained math tutor who stated that he did not study some of these concepts until his sophomore year at Tech. Why is Dekalb trying to teach these concepts to students who are struggling in Math already? Don't we have enough problems? <br /><br />Many say we weren't doing any better with the old Math. At least with the old Math colleges understood what Math preparation our students had. Who can explain what is covered in Math 1, vs Math 1 accelerated, Math 1 advanced and now we introduce Math support? It's enough! <br /><br />Parents take a stand. E-mail Ms Tyson and Beasley and your board member. We need changes now. Every week that passes is another week our children fall behing.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-68434983715535490782010-09-22T23:13:29.964-04:002010-09-22T23:13:29.964-04:00This has been sent to the principals today and for...This has been sent to the principals today and forwarded on to the teachers.<br />Division of K-12 Teaching and Learning<br />Department of Elementary Teaching and Learning`<br /><br />I. Please list feedback that may be helpful regarding elementary teaching and learning initiatives. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />II. Please type your feed/back and questions in the provided spaces. <br /><br /><br /><br /> <br />III. Recommendations<br />Please list specific recommendations based upon the questions, concerns, and comments provided in the feedback section. Please provide details and/or examples to clarify the recommendations.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-53439417742806758732010-09-22T23:06:52.777-04:002010-09-22T23:06:52.777-04:00The Math State Framworks were removed and then put...The Math State Framworks were removed and then put back on yesterday afternoon. <br /><br />My students need to be taught in the instruciontal process, therefore, I have gone back to using Math Georgia and Math Expressions.<br /><br />I was told that Math Expressions was designed, not to be the primary source, as was told to us before this year. THe program was designed to use Math Georgia as the primary source and Math Expressions as the secondary source. Math Expressions is designed to teach students different strategies. <br /><br />One of the math coordinators decided that she would reverse it and make Math Expressions the primary source. This year it bacame even worse. Now the State Frameworks are the primary source with Math Georgia and Math Expressions as secondary resources. Many of the students in our school do not have the mathematical background to perform the task that they are asked to do on the Frameworks.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-54537363352135468052010-09-22T10:43:16.160-04:002010-09-22T10:43:16.160-04:00This is really scary. I'm just a parent of tw...This is really scary. I'm just a parent of two elementary children. Do I get tutors now???Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-37688306527847182452010-09-21T23:41:18.057-04:002010-09-21T23:41:18.057-04:00Anon 10:39
The pacing charts (blended usage guide...Anon 10:39<br /><br />The pacing charts (blended usage guides) and frameworks are still in First Class for the first semester. They haven't been posted yet for the 2nd semester.<br /><br />Did you see something saying they were being removed?M Ghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03055591929413425231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-36504542009958851202010-09-21T23:15:33.153-04:002010-09-21T23:15:33.153-04:00"I really don't think that there is anyth..."I really don't think that there is anything wrong with teaching Algebra I in 8th grade. As long as our students have mastered fractions, multiplication, and division. This is entirely possible, if you focus math instruction on getting down the basics in elementary school. Algebra I in 8th grade should be an option for students who are ready.<br /><br />There is absolutely nothing wrong with drilling math facts, timed tests on math facts, and flash cards. It's not flashy, or fun, but it does work. The wonderful thing about math is that the rules always stay the same. There are no exceptions. However, you must teach the rules. It's an orderly process so even if you don't initially understand why it works, you can apply the correct strategy to get the right answer. "<br /><br />This is very true, and as a former teacher, I don't understand why we aren't insisting that our children understand the basics and just keep pushing them along.<br /><br />Sadly the GA standards and the new National Standards do not really allow for a strong understanding of the basics. Both have great breath, with little depth and understanding. This will mean that the cycle of children with poor math skills will continue.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-41340634926672954212010-09-21T23:11:57.537-04:002010-09-21T23:11:57.537-04:00The Frameworks were not intended to be the end all...The Frameworks were not intended to be the end all, be all of math instruction. They were intended to show the rigor of student work for students to do well on the CRCT. <br /><br />Yes, students do not have enough time to practice anything, because the material is not presented in a logical way. In elementary school, the teachers are to use 2 text books. The Math Expressions program is a good program, when done in the way that it was written. DCSS has chosen to rewrite the Expressions curriculum and teachers cannot use it in the way it was intended, because you are to teach lesson 1.10, lesson 1.5, and then lesson 1. 14. The lessons build upon themselves and skipping around skipping lessons makes it impossible to teach, imagine how impossible it is to learn.<br /><br />We have taken the logic out of math.<br /><br />The way education data is looked at would never fly in any other field. You can't compare totally different students against each other.<br /><br />Teachers weren't adequately trained. I was trained in Expressions in another state and had a week long training on how to use the program correctly. The train the trainer who trains a teacher who then trains the teachers approach that DCSS uses provided me with barley 2 hours of training and the teachers doing the training had little knowledge of how to use the program. A teacher may have deep understanding of math, but the way that it is given to teachers in the way of Frameworks, and other crap is not easy and very time consuming to even get a grasp on. Teachers simply do not have enough time as every time they think they understand, something is changed, added or removed. Math is constantly changing and the people in charge have a no confidence vote from my home.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-69565979675850058392010-09-21T23:06:35.485-04:002010-09-21T23:06:35.485-04:00Does anyone remember Saxon Math? A more logical, ...Does anyone remember Saxon Math? A more logical, sequential process. Geometry is taught along with the Algebra, but if you start at the beginning . . . . <br /><br />I really don't think that there is anything wrong with teaching Algebra I in 8th grade. As long as our students have mastered fractions, multiplication, and division. This is entirely possible, if you focus math instruction on getting down the basics in elementary school. Algebra I in 8th grade should be an option for students who are ready. <br /><br />There is absolutely nothing wrong with drilling math facts, timed tests on math facts, and flash cards. It's not flashy, or fun, but it does work. The wonderful thing about math is that the rules always stay the same. There are no exceptions. However, you must teach the rules. It's an orderly process so even if you don't initially understand why it works, you can apply the correct strategy to get the right answer. <br /><br />I spent good money on a math tutor when my daughter was in high school. This is not a new problem. It's time to stop being innovative and go back to an instructional process that actually works.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-66187971211202500582010-09-21T23:03:06.771-04:002010-09-21T23:03:06.771-04:00@ Cere 10:25 PM
Yes, Beasley created a survey. Bu...@ Cere 10:25 PM<br /><br />Yes, Beasley created a survey. But, he could not even spell "Chamblee" correctly! FAIL!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-85325511882146637752010-09-21T22:55:45.892-04:002010-09-21T22:55:45.892-04:001st caveat: you cannot draw reliable conclusions w...1st caveat: you cannot draw reliable conclusions when examining data horizontally (that is, across multiple groups of students).<br /><br />Algebra I EOCT pass rates:<br />May 06: 34% DeKalb and 65% state<br />May 07: 35% DeKalb and 65% state<br />May 08: 44% DeKalb and 55% state<br /><br />Math 1 EOCT pass rates:<br />May 10: 59% DeKalb and 65% state<br /><br />Math 2 EOCT pass rates:<br />May 10: 44% DeKalb and 52% state<br /><br />While these 3 tests represent many different groups of students (which I just said we shouldn't do), I think we can safely say that DeKalb is doing no worse when compared to the state. <br /><br />2nd caveat: the kids who took Algebra 1 EOCT in May 09 included a lot of "stragglers" who failed Algebra 1 at least one time. <br /><br />I've omitted May 09 Algebra 1 EOCT data as irrelevant to this discussion.<br /><br />3rd caveat: I'm not an apologist for GPS integrated math. I just don't think it's the problem.<br /><br />Integrated math has its flaws, not least of which is transfer of credit to institutions that rightly cannot figure out how to allocate a Math 1 credit. However, we cannot blame our county's problems on the curriculum.<br /><br />4th caveat: I have little patience for teachers who cannot teach the new curriculum. Content is content. If you're qualified to teach high school math, it shouldn't matter how that math is packaged.<br /><br />Please don't argue the teachers aren't adequately trained in the new curriculum. That's just an excuse bad teachers hide behind.Techie Math Teachernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-49856602826610741972010-09-21T22:49:48.698-04:002010-09-21T22:49:48.698-04:00Beasley is NOT the right person for this job of in...Beasley is NOT the right person for this job of instruction. Especially now!<br /><br />Folks we have to insist on improvements. However, we might have to wait until the SAT scores from this year to make an honest assessment.<br /><br />My child is in accelerated math in 6th grade. I hope they can get this straighten out. <br /><br />I do have a family member who works at a university in Florida. There are schools down there very concerned about our Math Curriculum. They have never seen a curriculum like this and are concerned about students having to slide back before progressing into the college courses.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-52258465646464273512010-09-21T22:39:01.986-04:002010-09-21T22:39:01.986-04:00All pacing charts and Math Frameworks were removed...All pacing charts and Math Frameworks were removed from FIrst Class as of yesterday. Hopefully, something is going to change. This concerns elementary grades.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com