I join many a Sound Politics reader in being displeased in the temporary delay (we hope) of implementing the math portion of the 10th grade WASL as a graduation requirement. Since this call comes from Governor Gregoire and Superintendent Bergeson, one should assume the now heavily-Democratic Legislature will take the next step to implement the change by passing it in some form. There are, however, some grains of prudent thinking in this whole story that may help address the deficiency of math skills seemingly evident in a sizeable percentage of Washington's student populace.
Today's Everett Herald elaborates, including mention of the need for the state to help in "identifying a handful of curricula that produce the best results." That's a long overdue step of putting good information into the hands of districts. In past years spent focusing on reading instruction, the study and dissemination of best practices in math has lagged. The state's 296 school districts currently use at least 44 different math curricula. That forumla isn't exactly working. Such a cornucopia should be honed to a handful of recommended choices that are proven to work. Many districts, and the educators struggling to educate students in math, would and should welcome such an option.
Furthermore, educators seem to have the right perspective on what this temporary reprieve means:
Local school leaders see the proposal as giving them three years to whip math instruction into shape, Marysville Superintendent Larry Nyland said. 'There's a lot of work ahead - for us and the students.'
Good. Specifically, students currently facing a WASL crunch could "still earn a diploma as long as they are taking math classes through their senior year." For most students, that means four years of high school math, more than many of those kids might otherwise take. While the relaxation of standards, even temporary, is nothing to applaud, four years of high school math is not such a bad thing.
The 2007 Legislative Session was already forecast to include serious discussion of raising expectations for students in math and science, via the Washington Learns proposal, and on the heels of a national focus on competitiveness in math and science. The business community will almost surely be heavily engaged on this issue, likely making it a top priority, especially on the heels of this new wrinkle in math education. All that focus will only be intensified now.
Yesterday's news is not something supporters of accountability will cheer. But, the resulting amplification of attention being paid to math instruction, standards, and the like is an opportunity to continue to make the incremental progress necessary for education reform to succeed long-term in our system of K-12 education, where inertia is otherwise an incredible structural challenge to overcome.
Posted by Eric Earling at November 28, 2006 07:59 AM | Email ThisA new curriculum will cost money, but it is an investment in our future and will be far cheaper on the long run instead of generating an underclass that cannot sufficiently provide for themselves. Hmmmm, on second thought that is probably what the moonbats want--a population in "crisis" that justifies even more tax dollars and government employees.
Posted by: Burdabee on November 28, 2006 09:09 AMBoth Governors have made huge promises toward education over the past 11 years, what have these dullard kids ever promised?
Posted by: Andy on November 28, 2006 10:50 AMTwenty-seven states require students to take three or four years of math to graduate from high school. Washington requires only two years of math. The science requirement is also two years.Bill GatesGates says Washington should take a look at Texas.
He says to get a high school diploma, Texas students need to pass four years of math, science and social students and two years of a foreign language.
Texas has it's current educational system thanks to famous village idiot.... GWB!
Just when Gates is saying we need more. The Queen announces we don't need no stinkin' math. Gotta keep that electorate dumb and dependent.
Posted by: JCM on November 28, 2006 02:54 PM"The co-founder of Microsoft says Washington high schools aren't keeping up with the nation. Twenty-seven states require students to take three or four years of math to graduate from high school. Washington requires only two years of math. The science requirement is also two years.
Gates says Washington should take a look at the state of Texas. To get a high school diploma, Texas students need to pass four years of math, science and social studies and two years of a foreign language."