September 2, 2008: Different Math Curricula Profiled

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September 2, 2008: Different Math Curricula Profiled

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Customized Briefing for THERESA CAVANAUGHSeptember 2, 2008

Leading the News

In the Classroom

On the Job

Law & Policy

Special Needs

Safety & Security

School Finance

Also in the News

Leading the News

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D.C.-area math curricula profiled.

The Washington Post (9/1, B2) reported on " math programs in

land...Virginia, " and Washington, D.C., which " run the gamut from more

structured, textbook-driven lessons that stress computation to relatively

open-ended, exploratory curricula that urge students to solve problems in

their own way. " Many educators involved " consider computation skills the

end, not the beginning, of the lesson, " and use examples from everyday life.

The Post noted, " Students often go further in math today than their parents

did, although some mathematicians say " that current math curricula are

overly-broad and lack depth. However, " the National Council of Teachers of

Mathematics tried to set things right in 2006 with Curriculum Focal Points,

which spells out three concepts for each grade and a few key subjects, such

as the base-10 number system, fractions and algebra, at the core of lessons

in math-savvy nations. " The Post article also includes a discussion of the

benefits and drawbacks of introducing students to algebra at an earlier age,

as well as " a sampling " of the textbooks used by area schools.

In the Classroom

More schools using comic books for education.

The Oregonian (9/1, Zuckerman) reported that " educators are bringing comics

to class, and they're using them to teach kids to get along, appreciate

literature and learn more effectively. " Dark Horse Comics " teamed with

Columbia University in New York seven years ago to create the Comic Book

Project, " and " the curriculum has spread from one after-school class in

Queens to 850 schools across the United States. " Bitz of Columbia's

Comic Book Project pointed out that " surveys and interviews with students

and teachers showed comic books taught children to write, listen and speak

better. " Further, Bitz said, " students -- especially hard-to-reach

students -- find comic books less intimidating than textbooks, and they can

frequently express themselves in comic books better than they can in

traditional writing classes. " However, " some educators are skeptical,

worrying Superman will replace Shakespeare and that comics dumb down

lessons. " The Oregonian noted the " Comic-book-based curricula include such

topics as environmentalism, anti-bullying, teamwork, child abuse,

vocabulary, grammar and understanding epilepsy. "

Tennessee school implements new integrated curriculum.

Tennessee's Leaf Chronicle (9/2, Wallace) reports on the new integrated

curriculum at Magnet Elementary School in sville, which

emphasizes conducting lab experiments in the classroom. Each week, educators

provide " a homework menu " that contains several " main courses. " These may

" include reading an assigned story, writing a brief summary, writing

sentences or questions using spelling words and completing any in-classroom

math problems not already completed in class. " The Leaf Chronicle continues,

" Students then can choose one side dish from three choices ranging from

writing a short story, completing a suggested science project to other

skills required through the state standards as the year progresses. "

Additionally, " students can opt for dessert for extra points -- writing

10-word multiplication problems and solving them, for example. " The

Chronicle notes, " Central to the integrated curriculum concept is that

learning is a seamless adventure for the student " that also combines the

disciplines of science, math, reading and social studies.

New Jersey charter elementary school shows mixed results.

On the front page of its New Jersey section, the New York Times (8/30, NJ1,

Hu) reported on the Learning Community in Jersey City, one of the area's

first charter elementary schools. The school uses " no grades, no textbooks,

and hands-on learning through art projects, field trips and community

involvement. " While the school has become increasingly popular, " little has

been known about how Learning Community students performed academically once

they moved on to high school, and whether their early experience at a

charter school made a difference. " School officials researched a group of 23

students " who finished eighth grade in 2004 and were expected to graduate

from high school last spring. " They found that " twenty of the students "

graduated on time, and " the college-bound students reported earning a wide

range of SAT scores, from 1,800 for a girl on a full scholarship to Drew to

780 for a boy with a learning disability. " The Times noted that the school's

" efforts to assess its impact comes as charter schools are expanding rapidly

across the nation, " but assessments of such schools " have been mixed. "

Educators discuss policies for student text messaging.

Minnesota's Star Tribune (9/1, ) reported on the " warnings and

suggestions " of educators in regards to student text messaging. In

particular, educators say, students should " have a firm grasp on when

text-messaging nicknames and abbreviations are acceptable " and when they are

not, such as in academic writing. Additionally, students should be made

aware of the consequences of text messaging at inappropriate times.

" Students don't often test the rules after a cell-phone confiscation

demonstrates that a teacher means business, " educators said. And although

" many teachers will allow students to receive emergency messages or stay in

touch with parents during family crises, " they noted that it was important

for students to get permission beforehand. Further, " as teachers and

administrators realize that texting isn't going away, some are suggesting

that the medium be embraced as a classroom tool. " For instance, students

might create " a 10-text message version of 'Romeo and t.' "

On the Job

Chicago schools revamp staffing, curriculum.

The Chicago Tribune (9/2, Sadovi) reports, " When Chicago Public Schools

students head back to class Tuesday, thousands will walk into a record

number of revamped schools while many others will see dozens of newly hired

faces after the district replaced teachers and principals at eight

struggling schools. " There are also " new educational options at 34 schools

this year, " as well as " curriculum changes stressing science, technology and

writing. " Further, some schools will " offer expanded after-school activities

and hold a monthly four-hour Saturday workshop so parents, teachers and

students can work to enhance classroom learning. " The Tribune notes, " The

aim was to 'turn around' the struggling high schools and their feeders, and

experts have applauded the school systems' efforts. " While some parents

expressed appreciation for the changes, others said they are uncertain what

impact the changes will have on the students.

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Law & Policy

D.C. mayor seeks funding for unpaid school bills, special education.

On the front of its Metro section, the Washington Post (9/1, B1, Turque)

reported that D.C. Mayor Fenty's (D) " administration wants to divert

$15.2 million from several District agencies to cover a series of extra

expenses in D.C. schools, including unpaid bills dating back to 2005 for

textbooks and custodial supplies, and nearly $9 million in private school

tuition for special education students whose needs can't be met by the

city. " A memo sent in July from " the District's chief of budget execution "

to the D.C. Council suggests that the money will be diverted " from two

sources. ... One source will be agencies that have saved money in salaries

due to unfilled positions, such as the Department of Motor Vehicles and the

Department of the Environment. The other is extra cash from a series of

accounts devoted to paying off bond debt, leasing equipment and paying

interest on short-term borrowing. "

Colorado state representative outlines new education policy.

In an opinion piece for the Coloradoan (9/1), Colorado State Rep.

Kefalas (D) pointed out some changes in school operations under the state's

" new 'Strengthen Our Schools' laws. " Kefalas noted that " nearly 90 percent

of the school districts in Colorado reported a health or safety problem in

at least one of their facilities. " As such, the Build Excellent Schools

Today Act will steer " millions of dollars toward school repairs -- the

single largest investment in school construction in state history. "

Lawmakers " also created school safety resource centers. " He also noted that

the laws provide " more training for teachers, " and that the Colorado

Achievement Plan for Kids was created to " prepare all students for

postsecondary work, either college or technical training. " In conclusion,

Rep. Kefalas wrote, " I am proud to have supported these laws. "

Special Needs

In-school coffee shop serves as classroom for students.

The Arizona Daily Star (9/2, Brodesky) reports on JavaXpress, a coffee shop

" at the Arizona State Schools for the Deaf and the Blind " that also serves

as a classroom for students, all of whom " have multiple disabilities. Not

only are they deaf or blind, but some are autistic, others are mentally

challenged, and many have attention-deficit disorder. " The coffee shop,

" which is not open to the general public, began more than five years ago,

serving doughnuts and coffee. " Since that time, the menu has " expanded to

include smoothies, frozen drinks and an assortment of snacks, " and

eventually " the shop became self-sufficient. " The Daily Star notes, " For the

students...every experience is an opportunity for embedded learning. " Those

who " struggle with the concept of money and exchange, " for example, " handle

the sales. " Educator Judy Knox, who oversees the operation, said, " It's all

hands on. It makes sense to them. ... Everything they do has relevance and

meaning to their lives. "

Safety & Security

Michigan districts continue to modify security measures.

Michigan's Citizen-Patriot (8/31, Cummings, ) reported, " Nearly a

decade after the mass murder at Columbine High School in Colorado, school

leaders...continue to modify security measures. " In Michigan, some schools

have installed security " cameras in hallways and telephones in all

classrooms, " while others " require all students and staff to wear

identification badges at all times so that any visitor, welcome or

unwelcome, can be easily spotted. " Furthermore, several " police agencies

now have floor plans of all school buildings, and train frequently inside

their hallways. " Also, according to school administrators and law

enforcement officials, " written plans for how faculty should respond to

different scenarios are much more detailed than in the past. " The

Citizen-Patriot noted that in addition to security measures implemented by

individual districts and schools, Michigan law requires that all schools

" perform at least two lockdown-type drills each year where they practice

taking cover, usually from a hypothetical gunman. "

School Finance

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Some Maine schools to provide financial assistance to families.

Maine's Portland Press Herald (8/31) reported, " As students head back to

school, many " schools in Maine " are preparing for the likelihood that more

families will be struggling to make ends meet in a down economy. " Although

" most school districts are operating with bare-bones budgets that face the

same economic challenges " that families face, " school officials and others

say they will be keeping an eye out for kids whose families may need help

buying food, clothing and other necessities, as well as paying for extras

such as field trips, class photos, and extracurricular activities. " For

instance, Biddeford Superintendent -Jane Poli plans to " post

information in each school about Keeping Neighbors Warm, a new group that's

raising money to provide heating assistance to households in need. " In

addition, Poli " plans to set aside $2,500 donated by a new Big Lots store in

Biddeford so parents can apply for assistance to buy school clothes or pay

for field trips. "

Also in the News

Chicago boycott organizers are prepared to leave their children out of

school for a week.

In continuing coverage from previous editions of The Opening Bell, the

Washington Post (9/2, A2) reports that Illinois state Sen. Meeks (D)

" and 85 pastors are organizing a boycott of Chicago public schools today to

protest disparities in how the state funds public schools. "

According to the AP (9/1, Song), " more than a hundred church buses "

will " take thousands of [Chicago] students to Winnetka, where they'll

attempt to register at the affluent New Trier High School and Sunset Ridge

Elementary School. " After the protest, " boycott organizers...plan to set up

impromptu classrooms led by retired teachers in the lobbies of area

businesses. " The AP noted that " boycott organizers said they're prepared

keep their children out of school for at least a week. " Meanwhile, " Meeks

and reformers are lobbying Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D) and legislative leaders

to support a $120 million pilot program designed to show how an infusion of

cash could improve ailing schools. " Under the program, " auditors would

establish standards in literacy, math, and technology. Cluster schools

would be required to submit weekly progress reports, yearly test results,

and staff performance reviews. " The Chicago Tribune (9/2, Black), the

Chicago Sun-Times (9/1, ) and the UPI (9/1) also reported the story.

Former H & R Block CEO advocates higher pay for teachers.

In the Chicago Tribune's (8/1) Work Space column, Diane Stafford wrote about

M. Bloch, who in 1995, " stepped down as CEO of H & R Block " to become a

" middle school math teacher. " Stafford observed that " while Bloch has more

than enough money to teach without drawing a paycheck, he is greatly

concerned about the relatively paltry paychecks of fellow teachers. " In his

book, Stand for the Best, Bloch revealed that as a teacher, he " faced

apathetic students and combative parents...had his temper strained by surly

and unruly middle-schoolers, " and was " shocked at the lack of respect and

caring granted fellow educators. " Consequently, he believes that

" increasing teachers' pay, as well as funding for public education in

general, is crucial. " According to Bloch, the best teachers should earn

$100,000 per year. To achieve this, Bloch said that taxes should be raised,

" progressively higher for the wealthier. " In addition, Bloch called for

" more accountability for teachers, " but said that " the evaluation formula "

for No child Left Behind " is not right. "

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