Results tagged “algebra”

Seattle Public Schools confirmed that they will have to implement an "R.I.F." (Reduction In Force), meaning lay off nearly 200 Seattle school teachers by May 15. First of all, who says "R.I.F."? That acronym is just tacky and screams tombstones. Great last impression, right? So now as the force of teachers dwindle, we're expecting more classroom congestion, chaos, and for the love of it all, who will be left to teach high schoolers math from their brand new Discovering Mathematics textbooks series? more ›

For those in search of information on so many people think that then Key Curriculum math books recently adopted by the Seattle School District are so bad, Where's the Math?, a local group promoting better math education in our schools, has info on a review of the books by UW math prof John Lee (PDF of the full review here). Prof. Lee explains upfront that "a course that does not imbue students with the spirit, techniques, and practice of deductive reasoning is not a mathematics course worthy of the name." He goes on to explain exactly how well he thinks these books do that, well worth the read for people interested. more ›

The P-I says that the Seattle school board voted to adopt (4-3) the Key Curriculum Press Discovering Mathematics textbooks series--for algebra, advanced algebra, geometry, pre-calculus and calculus classes across the district. (Statistics classes get an Addison-Wesley textbook.) more ›

Yesterday we blogged about Cliff Mass's opinion on the high school algebra and geometry textbooks the school board is considering--and nobody with an opposing view commented. You'd think it was unanimous agreement. However, we were notified about this indignant response on Twitter: "Wow, I just lost all respect for the Seattlest - GG. http://bit.ly/1R3H08 Cliff Mass is an idiot. Agh so pissed off. Why can't ppl see that all the great minds are saying NOT TO lecture at kids or drill-n-kill. WELCOME TO OUR GENERATION!! Lets go to the weatherman for how we should teach math. EXCELLENT IDEA. Include all the rich white males from Bellevue while you're at it." more ›

Tucked at the end of UW meteorologist Cliff Mass's post about the millions of square miles of low clouds over the ocean that will ruin our sun-loving lives for the foreseeable future is a PS about Seattle's high school math "situation" that we mentioned last week. Says Cliff: "I was amazed that three of them are still considering a terrible math series (Discovering Algebra, Discovering Geometry) that was found by the State Board of Education to be unsuitable. And dropped by San Diego as a failure." They lost us with the titles, for god's sake, but it helps to have Cliff weigh in with an expert opinion. more ›

Parents of high-school students--who would prefer torture over opening an advanced algebra book again--will be holding their breath for the next month as Seattle's School Board has delayed the heated vote on new high-school math textbooks. Who knew math teachers could stir up such a debate? The stalled vote is hung up (in obtuse angles?) over the textbooks, Discovering Geometry and Discovering Advanced Algebra while a tense discussion grows around the parents' (and others) ability to help the students with their homework. Parents, start studying, the next vote is May 6. more ›