Recall Everyday Math in Long Valley NJ

Released for tomorrow’s Observer Tribune:

Parents concerned with the Everyday Math curriculum are joining together to voice concerns to the newly elected K-8 Washington Township Board of Education. The K-8 Board of Education election highlighted math curriculum problems specifically with the spiraling methodology, inefficient math algorithms like the lattice method of multiplication, and the lack of ability for Long Valley parents to assist their children with their homework.

“Using the March 13, 2008 final report of the President’s National Mathematics Advisory Panel, the newly elected Washington Township Board of Education has the most advanced analysis available to make critical changes to our math curriculum,” says Long Valley resident Eric Frenchman.

“Unfortunately there is no such thing as “Everyday Geometry, Everyday Algebra, or Everyday Calculus for new freshman students. Colleges and Universities will continue to look for basic skills as defined by the traditional high school curriculum this is in our high school,” says high school math teacher and Long Valley resident Sandy Zarillo.

“We are gathering data as well as circulating a petition to respectfully ask for a re-evaluation of the Everyday Math curriculum. This isn’t about NJ ASK test scores, it is about preparing our children for Algebra which is the gateway for kids continuing on to higher levels of learning. Currently there are over 110 signatures on our math petition and we plan on presenting the data to our school board in a very constructive manner,” stated Mr. Frenchman.

Concerned parents are encouraged to sign the petition at http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/EveryDayMathWT/index.html and get involved with helping to gather data by sending an email to longvalleymath@embarqmail.com. Also, please attend the April 29^th Board of Education meeting to support several parents that will address the Board.

Eric