But now the good news. Resources are now available to replace Seattle's K-5 math textbooks and associated materials with something much better. And if you are a Seattle resident, you can help ensure that a superior math program will be selected.
Here is the deal. Seattle Public Schools has set up a web site (here) describing the math material selection process including access to the 8 contenders (here). Seattle residents have until January 8th to provide input on their preferences by emailing or faxing a form found here. You can also look at the books in person and submit forms at the Seattle Public Schools office (John Stanford Center) in Seattle. If you are the parent of a child in Seattle Public Schools, will be a parent in SPS, or believe good math is critical for the future of our city and nation, please express you opinions by sending in the form by January 8th.
These recommendations will go to a curriculum review committee comprised of teachers, staff, parents and community members for narrowing down the list to three.
Which are best math books?
I have looked at all these books, as have math experts in the Seattle Math Coalition and Wheresthemath.com. The bottom line is that there are only two viable selections in the list of 8:
Math In Focus.
Let's talk about what we want in a math curriculum:
- A curriculum that will ensure all students gain a mastery of key algorithms and concepts.
- A curriculum that allows parents to help their child.
- A curriculum that allows kids to be creative with math once they have the basic skills.
- A curriculum that is accessible to all kids, including children for which English is not their primary language.
- A curriculum that allows teachers that are weak in math to still ensure solid learning amount in their classrooms.
- A curriculum that prepares students to move on to more advanced mathematics in middle and high schools.
Let's talk a bit more about Jump Math.
Developed in Canada by John Mighton, (Ph.D., mathematics), JUMP math uses an incremental approach that explicitly takes the student through every single step in the thought process. That is crucial...most math textbooks/workbook leave out steps, leading to confusion. Not JUMP MATH. The content is rich, deep, and contains considerably more mathematical insight than the other programs. The NY Times did a story on JUMP MATH that was very positive. JUMP MATH is also inexpensive, without the often extraneous color images and photos in the more expensive books. Perhaps Seattle could save enough money to replace the terrible books Seattle is using in middle school (CMP).
Math in Focus
Math in Focus is the Americanized version of the highly acclaimed and very effective Singapore Math program (Singapore students have some of the best math performance in the world).
Reasonably clear exposition of elementary math in a solid, well-designed package. Highline Schools adopted Math in Focus a few years ago, with substantial improvements in standardized math tests. A NY Times story on Singapore Math, including its MIF version, is very positive, with parents suggesting it to be far superior to Everyday Math.
If you are a Seattle resident, please take a look at the materials and let the curriculum committee know what you prefer. We don't want another generation of Seattle Public School students receiving a crippling math education. It would be a tragedy if a weak math curriculum is selected again. And completely unneccessary.