Fact: U.S. is #23 of 65 of top industrialized countries in math. Logic: Our current math methodology is causing a lag for our students and us to fall further behind. Question: What can we do differently? Answer: look around for at other countries for examples of excellence in math Fact: Singapore is #1 in math . Logic: lets emulate what they do. Question: What do they do? Answer: They base math mastery on understanding why, not just memorizing algorithms Fact: the new common core math instruction is highly correlated with Singapore math. Logic: lets try to work with our kids to learn this new math. Question: why are we dissing it when we havent given it a chance? Answer: we dont like change?We dont understand it? It comes from govt so it must be bad? Fact: there are parent tutorials to help you help your child--google it. We cant go back--if we keep doing what were doing well keep getting what were getting--which is closer and closer to mediocrity in this globally competitive world and farther from greatness. Fact: we are increasingly having to import or outsource to get the best minds in math and science for our industries and R&D. Logic: lets put more money and resources into better public schools and better nutrition for kids, not be a nation that is cutting off its nose to spite its face by gutting funding for education and cutting early childhood programs, such a lunch programs. If you disagree, what is your solution to improve our nations competitiveness in this ever globalized world (and no, sorry, that is not going to revert itself, rather it will accelerate over this century). I would like to see enhanced funding to the point where all public schools could cater to each students individual strengths as well as provide a solid rounded core curriculum. We need to look at enhanced education funding through whatever source, govt grants, increased taxes, etc. as an investment in not a drain on our economy. BTW, This is not absolute endorsement of common core per se, it is an endorsement of common sense.
Posted on: Sun, 09 Mar 2014 22:17:41 +0000
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