Re: How to End the Math Wars

> I had an open mind when my children started in this
> school district.  I was willing to give Everyday Math
> a chance.  I tried to make it work, and I read the
> material put out for parents.  But the program is
> failing my children and others in so many ways.  

I have no problem with you giving Everyday Math the
benefit of the doubt and then deciding to fight it.
That's your right and even responsibility as a parent
and I encourage you to keep a high level of involvement.
I've never defended Everyday Math as a brand.

> By the way, I'm not the only parent complaining.
> Many parents don't like the program.   Many of the
> parents who complain are very well educated, with
> backgrounds in math and science.

Again, by all means make your voice heard, and by all
means don't just sit back and leave it to others to
decide what's best (not even to Wayne Bishop).  They
don't always know.  The ed biz is full of posers and
frauds, from top to bottom, I think we all know that.
 
> I am familiar with Kumon and Saxon.  I use both
> programs with my children.  They organize math in a
> logical, coherent way, and give my kids the practice
> they need.

I was just visiting a charter school in Socorro, New
Mexico that uses Saxon and I raised no objections,
logged here to that effect at the time.
http://mathforum.org/kb/message.jspa?messageID=5442955&tstart=0

> I am very glad that people with expertise in math,
> like Wayne Bishop, are speaking out against Everyday
> Math.  I know from experience that it's deeply flawed.

He's one of several educators with a point of view.

Just because Saxon is better than Everyday Math, it
doesn't follow that making this switch is to optimize
your childrens opportunities.  There're more than two
tracks in this train system.

That being said, build up your ability to discriminate.
Develop your tastes.  NALB is just as important as NCLB,
as far as I'm concerned (no adults should be left behind
either).

Kirby

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