At tonight’s meeting of the Elementary Math Program Review Committee, it was decided by Superintendent Richard Mextorf that the Committee would evaluate prospective math programs without fall 2010 pilot testing of those programs in SCASD classrooms. Several committee members had continued to express their concern that identification of programs to pilot test could not be properly accomplished in time for implementation of a pilot this fall. Some of those same members suggested that the review process be paused or terminated while the 2nd edition of Investigations is fully implemented, given a chance to work, and its outcomes assessed. It was also suggested that implementing a pilot test would be impossible without the current curriculum support staff, some of whom are now scheduled to be reassigned to fill classroom teacher vacancies as part of cost-cutting measures in the District.
Superintendent Mextorf asked for a show of hands for how many felt that the timeline was too aggressive, and a clear majority indicated that they did. Following this, the Superintendent announced his decision that the review process would go forward, with Investigations being compared next spring to other candidate programs selected by the Committee. He added that: (1) it was possible that the candidate programs might be evaluated in a mid-year pilot that would begin in January 2011 if the logistics could be worked out; (2) it would be important to evaluate how well the candidate programs and Investigations match up with the forthcoming Common Core Standards, which are certain to be adopted in Pennsylvania; and (3) the scores from PSSA tests taken by SCASD students in spring 2010 ought to be considered as part of the program review.
Here is something I really don’t understand. It has pretty much been decided that Investigations I or II does not work. It doesn’t meet the needs of our students. Why give it another year? I don’t understand the attitude of some committee members who want to give Investigations II in first and second grades a chance. What for? I understand that the time is short, so why not do what was done in the past? Several years ago when the district wanted to pilot a new text book, they gave different teachers (one per grade level) a program to pilot for the year. They had meetings on a regular basis to discuss the pros and the cons of each program. Why not do the same here? Give a group of teachers, who are not biased towards Investigations, a program to pilot. At the end of the year, compare notes and make an educated decision that way. Give them a try! Otherwise, we are back to square one. We are putting fingers in the holes in the levee. We are going to use the same program that is full of holes, and the teachers will be encouraged to continue to supplement with their own materials. Imagine how much money the district would save by not buying the asinine workbooks that go with Investigations. They are a waste of time and money.
Anonymous
Excellent points. Let’s hope things continue to progress, eh?