Tuesday,  April 3, 2007             Cecil Whig

Frustrated with Math 

To:  The editor

From:  Tracey Balthaser

            North East ccps

 

I am a parent of three children in the Cecil County Public School system who is frustrated with the math program that is offered in our schools.

I attended the last school board meeting and was surprised to learn, from another parent making a presentation on the math program, how inadequately our current curriculum prepares our children for higher education.  It is my understanding that the CCPS math program has received poor reviews from national education groups and has been proclaimed inadequate by those groups.  While MSA (Maryland School Assessment) scores have risen throughout the state, including Cecil County, indicators outside this assessment show that students do not have the necessary math skills needed to prepare them for higher education.  Our kids are currently being rushed through the concepts of the curriculum which doesn't allow them to learn.  If a classical  textbook were approved, students would not be so rushed (a single topic is given days sometimes weeks to be covered in much greater depth) and eventually the benefits to  ;Cecil County students would allow our children to master math skills. 

I feel along with other parents that teachers and math professionals need to be part of the decision making process for the math curriculum.  I am asking parents for help.  Email the school board and let them know you want a change for our kids. 

It is my hope  that with more parent awareness and involvement we can persuade the board to make the best decision for our children.