Is there a problem with math education in Bellevue?
Over the last several years, I have spoken with many parents in the the Bellevue School District who are concerned about the math education that their children are receiving. Specifically they are concerned that the current curriculum (TERC Investigations in Elementary School, CMP in Middle School) has not served their students well. This is true even with the efforts the district has made to align these curricula with international standards. Many parents of my acquaintance have put their children in outside tutoring. The district argues that there is no problem. They say it’s a new way of teaching math, and parents just don’t understand it. However, many of our parents understand math very well and have come to their own conclusions.
How can you tell if your child is learning solid math that meets international standards in Bellevue?
Give your child an international test to see if there is a problem. Your child may be doing very well on district assessments and report cards, but still may not be meeting international standards.
One test you can use in based on the curriculum used in Singapore. Children in Singapore did very well on the TIMSS study of international math achievement. Placement tests for their curricula are available here: http://www.singaporemath.com/Placement_Test_s/86.htm . Use the tests for the Primary Mathematics Series. These tests go through sixth grade.
There are also math tests based on the California standards (which are internationally aligned) available here: released test questions (scroll down for mathematics).
I am writing this as a parent in the Bellevue (Washington) School District to other parents in the district to share the information I have gathered over the last several years about math education.
What will be included on this website?
This website will contain Bellevue, Washington specific information. There is a wealth of additional information on math issues in Washington State and nationally on www.wheresthemath.com. That is a great place to go for more background information on this issue.
The information I intend to post here includes:
- Unit by unit analysis from a parent’s viewpoint of the TERC Investigations elementary curriculum.
- Suggestions for how you might teach math at home.
- Organizational information on how parents at the various schools who are concerned with this issue might meet-up and organize their efforts in asking for change.
- and more….
I am writing this as a parent in the Bellevue (Washington) School District to other parents in the district to share the information I have gathered over the last several years about math education.
